Pedestrian Killed At Bus Station After Poor Crossing Design

Brief Summary

A transport employer pleaded guilty after a 74 year old pedestrian was struck and killed while using an authorised crossing at a bus station. The regulator found years of failures to assess and control the hazards created by the crossing layout and insufficient monitoring of drivers. The case matters to health and safety professionals because it shows how design choices and weak follow up on incidents can leave pedestrians at risk and lead to prosecution.

What Was The Incident?

On 15 December 2023 at around 5pm a 74 year old woman was using an authorised pedestrian crossing at a bus station when she was struck by a double decker bus and suffered fatal injuries. The crossing sat at the apex of a bend where buses turned into the station so drivers did not have a clear view of its full length. The crossing surface was marked to give pedestrians priority but the layout created ambiguity over right of way. The employer had not carried out a suitable risk assessment of the crossing despite a similar collision in April 2022 and CCTV showed five near misses in the two days before the fatal collision. The investigation also found inadequate monitoring of drivers operating in the station.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. The Health and Safety Executive brought the prosecution. The employer was fined 2,000,000 and ordered to pay 5,081 in costs on 25 September 2026.

Key Points To Consider

Crossing location and visibility. Review crossing siting and approach angles. Avoid placing crossings at the apex of bends or where drivers cannot see the full length of the crossing. Check sight lines for all vehicle types and test with live manoeuvres.

Risk assessment and incident follow up. Ensure collisions and near misses trigger documented risk assessments and timely mitigation. Keep incident records and reassess controls after similar events rather than treating each event in isolation.

Driver supervision and monitoring. Verify driver competency, route training and on site supervision. Use CCTV and operational checks to identify unsafe manoeuvres and act promptly to correct behaviours and review controls.

HSE Prosecution Link