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Commuter cat Casper killed by car Commuter cat Casper killed by car
(about 1 hour later)
A cat who became a celebrity by travelling around Plymouth on the bus has died after reportedly being struck by a car. A cat which became a celebrity by travelling around Plymouth on the bus has died after reportedly being struck by a car.
Casper, a black and white cat, waited with commuters at the bus stop and then hopped on to the number 3 before curling up on a seat. Casper, a 12-year-old black and white cat, used to wait with commuters at the bus stop and then hop on to the number 3 to find a seat to curl up on.
The 12-year-old was such a well-known passenger on the service, drivers knew where to let him off. The cat was so well-known on the First Devon and Cornwall service, drivers knew which stop to let him off at.
His death was announced on a notice put up at Casper's bus stop His death was announced on a notice put up at Casper's bus stop by his owner.
'Free spirit''Free spirit'
It said: "Many local people knew Casper, who loved everyone - he also enjoyed the bus journeys.It said: "Many local people knew Casper, who loved everyone - he also enjoyed the bus journeys.
"Sadly a motorist hit him and did not stop."Sadly a motorist hit him and did not stop.
"Casper died from his injuries. He will be greatly missed...he was a much loved pet who had so much character. Thank you to all those who befriended him.""Casper died from his injuries. He will be greatly missed...he was a much loved pet who had so much character. Thank you to all those who befriended him."
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Bus drivers knew which stop to let Casper off at
First Devon and Cornwall said it was "devastated" by the cat's death.
Casper's owner, 55-year-old Susan Finden, who re-homed him from a rescue centre in 2002, said he had always been a free spirit.Casper's owner, 55-year-old Susan Finden, who re-homed him from a rescue centre in 2002, said he had always been a free spirit.
He was named after the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost, because of his habit of wandering off.He was named after the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost, because of his habit of wandering off.
'Exploring heaven'
Mrs Finden posted a tribute to Casper on the local Herald newspaper website and thanked First's bus drivers for looking after her pet so well.Mrs Finden posted a tribute to Casper on the local Herald newspaper website and thanked First's bus drivers for looking after her pet so well.
The website has also received tributes to Casper from around the world, including the US and Australia.The website has also received tributes to Casper from around the world, including the US and Australia.
Advertisement The bus company said many of its drivers had expressed sympathy for Casper to Mrs Finden.
Bus drivers knew which stop to let Casper off at In a statement, a company spokeswoman said: "Casper touched many people's lives and clearly had a very exciting life - travelling around Plymouth and who knows where else.
"I suspect he's now exploring heaven and is telling all the other cats up there about the many adventures he had."
A picture of the cat will continue to be used on one of the company's buses.