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Coventry bus crash: Death crash bus driver, 77, helping police inquires Coventry bus crash: Death crash bus driver, 77, questioned by police
(about 3 hours later)
The 77-year-old driver of a double-decker bus which crashed into a supermarket, killing two people, is helping police with their inquiries. The 77-year-old driver of a double-decker bus that crashed into a Coventry supermarket, killing two people, is being questioned by police.
An eight-year-old girl remains in a stable condition in hospital after the crash which killed her seven-year-old cousin, police said. He has been named locally as Kailash Chander, a former mayor of neighbouring Leamington Spa.
Both were upper-deck passengers on the bus which crashed into Sainsbury's on Trinity Street, Coventry. Rowan Fitzgerald, seven, of Leamington, who was on the upper deck of the bus, died when it crashed into Sainsbury's on Trinity Street on Saturday.
A woman in her 70s who was a pedestrian was also killed. Pedestrian Dora Hancox, in her 70s and from Nuneaton, was also killed.
Specialist officers are supporting the families of the boy, from Leamington Spa, and the woman, from Nuneaton. Rowan was travelling with his grandparents and his cousin, an eight-year-old girl, who was seriously hurt. She remains in a stable condition at Birmingham Children's Hospital, police said.
Bus hit cars 'Kind and gorgeous'
Insp Paul Bennett said: "The families of Rowan and Dora have suffered a devastating loss. Like people the length and breadth of Britain, we extend our deepest sympathies to them during this time.
"As they struggle to come to terms with their loss, they have chosen at this time not to release any images of their loved ones or to provide any words of tribute. They have also asked for the media to respect their privacy as they grieve."
Rowan was a pupil at St Anthony's Catholic Primary School where children are being supported by staff.
Headteacher Jane McSharry said in a statement: "Rowan was a perfect, kind, unassuming, gorgeous little boy, with a smile to melt any heart. The thoughts and prayers of our whole school community are with his family at this tragic time."
West Midlands Police said the man driving the bus had not been arrested and was helping police with their investigation.West Midlands Police said the man driving the bus had not been arrested and was helping police with their investigation.
The bus company, Stagecoach Midlands, said: "No driver we employ is allowed behind the wheel of our buses without us being satisfied that they are fully qualified, safe and meet all necessary legal requirements. In this case, our driver has many years' experience and has also passed a mandatory annual medical.The bus company, Stagecoach Midlands, said: "No driver we employ is allowed behind the wheel of our buses without us being satisfied that they are fully qualified, safe and meet all necessary legal requirements. In this case, our driver has many years' experience and has also passed a mandatory annual medical.
"Both our driver and our company are co-operating fully in helping police determine the full circumstances involved. Police have not yet completed their investigation and it is inappropriate to speculate in advance of their inquiries being concluded.""Both our driver and our company are co-operating fully in helping police determine the full circumstances involved. Police have not yet completed their investigation and it is inappropriate to speculate in advance of their inquiries being concluded."
Almas Fatima from Pleck, Walsall, said her two daughters, aged 12 and 14, were not able to sleep after they saw the crash and narrowly missed being hit.Almas Fatima from Pleck, Walsall, said her two daughters, aged 12 and 14, were not able to sleep after they saw the crash and narrowly missed being hit.
"I just remember a bus coming towards us and we survived. That's the only thing we remember," she said."I just remember a bus coming towards us and we survived. That's the only thing we remember," she said.
"We were walking on the pavement and as soon as the bus started moving it hit the other bus as well as we realised it was not stopping it was coming at full-speed towards us and I told my daughters, 'just run'." "We were walking on the pavement and as soon as the bus started moving it hit the other bus as well as we realised it was not stopping, it was coming at full-speed towards us, and I told my daughters, 'just run'."
The bus hit a number of cars and a lamppost before crashing into the open supermarket at about 18:00 BST on Saturday, officers said.The bus hit a number of cars and a lamppost before crashing into the open supermarket at about 18:00 BST on Saturday, officers said.
'Vital witnesses''Vital witnesses'
The force has appealed for witnesses to come forward.The force has appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Insp Paul Bennett said: "Investigations are on-going but we are aware of a number of vital witnesses who we are yet to speak to. Insp Bennett said: "Investigations are ongoing but we are aware of a number of vital witnesses who we are yet to speak to.
"We know there were possibly hundreds of people at the crash scene on Saturday evening and I would urge these people to come forward as soon as possible and give statements. Also, if anyone has images or footage of the scenes, please contact us."We know there were possibly hundreds of people at the crash scene on Saturday evening and I would urge these people to come forward as soon as possible and give statements. Also, if anyone has images or footage of the scenes, please contact us.
One shop owner said roadworks had caused more confusion at the "congested" junction.One shop owner said roadworks had caused more confusion at the "congested" junction.
Rupak Parvakhar, who owns the City Chippy on Fairfax Street, said temporary traffic lights had confused some pedestrians.Rupak Parvakhar, who owns the City Chippy on Fairfax Street, said temporary traffic lights had confused some pedestrians.
"Most of the time the poor pedestrians are crossing and whether the lights are red or green they are panicked and confused as to what they are doing," she said."Most of the time the poor pedestrians are crossing and whether the lights are red or green they are panicked and confused as to what they are doing," she said.
"Me, on so many occasions, I'm trying to weave my way through the people and then you have buses coming down Corporation Street on a really tight bend, trying to turn.""Me, on so many occasions, I'm trying to weave my way through the people and then you have buses coming down Corporation Street on a really tight bend, trying to turn."
The girl is being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital after suffering injuries to her face, head and right leg; and suspected chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries, West Midlands Ambulance Service said. Five other people were treated at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, including the bus driver.
The emergency services worked into the early hours on Monday to remove the bus and secure the area.The emergency services worked into the early hours on Monday to remove the bus and secure the area.