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A pedestrian has died after being hit by a bus at London’s Victoria bus stop.
Glyn Barton, Transport for London’s (TfL) chief operating officer, confirmed the “very distressing incident” which happened at around 9am on Monday.
According to reports, the number 13 double-decker bus crashed into an evacuation center at the busy transit hub.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the person who tragically died in a collision with a bus in Victoria this morning,” Mr Barton said.
“This will be an extremely distressing event for everyone involved, but we are providing support to those affected.
“TfL and operator RATP are assisting police with their investigation.”
Land and air ambulance crews struggled to save the pedestrian, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The bus driver was taken to the hospital.
A London Ambulance spokesperson said: “We have dispatched some personnel, including two paramedics and a medical worker in a rapid response vehicle. We have also dispatched the London Air Ambulance.
“We treated three people at the scene.
“One person was taken to hospital and another patient was examined and discharged.
“Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of our team, one person was confirmed dead at the scene.”
The bus stop is closed while the crash is investigated, but the train station is not affected.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘We have received tragic news that a pedestrian has lost his life in an accident.
“My thoughts are with the families and it is so important that they are the first to know about this tragedy.
“A full investigation is underway.
“I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say our thoughts and prayers are with this person’s family.”
Police are searching for the pedestrian’s next of kin.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “At 8.59am, police became aware of a serious traffic collision between a pedestrian and a bus at a Transport for London bus stop outside Victoria BR station.
“Multiple Metropolitan Police forces attended, along with British Transport Police and London Ambulance Service personnel.
“Despite the best efforts of London Ambulance Service, the injured pedestrian was pronounced dead at 9:26am.
“The bus driver was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
“While bus stops remain closed, there are no other road closures.
“British Rail stations are not affected.
“Specialist police traffic investigators attended the scene and an investigation into the circumstances of the collision began.
“We are currently working to provide information to next of kin.”
Operator RATP Dev Transit London confirmed it was investigating the fatal crash.
A spokesperson said: “Emergency services are currently attending and our team will be working closely with the relevant authorities to assess the circumstances of the incident.”
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the pedestrian who sadly passed away.”
A bus stop in Victoria was closed late last year due to works to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility for passengers with low vision.
Issues highlighted included the “unconventional” layout of pedestrian crossings, the use of signage and the lack of Braille blocks, as well as the presence of one pedestrian crossing directing pedestrians to bus stops.
In 2021, Melissa Barr died at a train station after bus driver Olusofa Popoola accidentally accelerated and crashed into the back seat of a stopped bus.
She was using the pedestrian walkway at the bus stop and was struck as she crossed towards the door of a 507 bus parked at the stop.