- Catherine Finnegan, from County Galway, died at the scene at around 9am.
A woman who died in a bus crash during rush hour in London Victoria has been named as a “beloved” aunt as the Metropolitan Police investigate the fatal crash.
Land and air ambulance crews struggled to rescue pedestrian Catherine Finnegan, from County Galway, but she died at the scene at around 9am.
The 46-year-old woman driving the bus was taken to hospital, but has since been released.
Mr Finnegan’s family remained supported by police officers and paid tribute to the “revered” Irish “whirlwind”.
They said: “Our beloved daughter, sister, partner, beloved aunt and dear friend, Kathleen Finnegan (aka Kathleen), passed away on January 29, 2024. It was dropped.”
“She will be remembered as a very unique woman who was full of Irish resourcefulness and whose family and friends were very proud of her bright and intelligent personality.”
“She created a whirlwind in any room and lit up this world with her energy, zest for life, and joy.
“She will be in our hearts forever.”
The incident comes three years after a bus driver mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake pedal at the same station in 2021, killing Melissa Barr.
Following the tragedy, multiple Metropolitan Police forces attended, along with British Transport Police and London Ambulance Service personnel.
Despite best efforts, Mr Finnegan was pronounced dead at 9:26am and the bus driver was also taken to hospital.
The station was sealed off with a large black tarpaulin and police traffic investigators were at the scene to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
A London Ambulance spokesperson said: “We have dispatched some personnel, including two paramedics and a medic in a rapid response vehicle.” The London Air Ambulance was also dispatched. Three people were treated 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.”
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.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the accident a “terrible tragedy”.
“I heard the tragic news that a pedestrian lost his life in an accident,” he said.
“My thoughts are with the family and it is vital 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.”
Three years before Mr Finnegan’s death, Melissa Barr, from Raynham, Kent, was murdered outside Victoria station.
Olusofa Popoola, 61, killed a 32-year-old man on his way to work outside a London station by hitting the gas instead of the brake.
Popoola accidentally accelerated and crashed into the back of a stopped bus, hitting Barr, who died from multiple injuries.
Popoola continued to accelerate for six seconds after colliding with the bus in front of him. He said he mistakenly pressed the brake pedal for the gas pedal.
Mr Popoola, a married father of four from Peckham, south-east London, admitted causing Mr Barr’s death by careless driving.
He told the jury that he had accidentally stepped on the gas pedal.
As a result of the retrial, he was acquitted of the felony charges of causing death by dangerous driving and seriously injuring the other driver.