Bus driver who killed pedestrian outside train station avoids jail after second trial

A BUS driver who killed a pedestrian outside a train station has avoided jail after a second trial.

Olusofa Popoola, 61, accidentally accelerated into the back of a stationary bus at London’s Victoria Station — shunting it into 32-year-old Melissa Burr.

At his first trial, Popoola admitted causing death by careless driving, saying he hit the accelerator instead of the brake.

The jury could not reach a verdict on charges of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to the other bus driver. He was later cleared.

Judge Rebecca Trowler outlined that Ms Burr, from Rainham in Kent, had been travelling to work “as usual” while crossing towards the door of a 507 bus parked at its stop.

The judge told Popoola: “As she did so, that bus was shunted forward from behind by the bus that you were driving.

“Melissa Burr was hit by the front bus.

“The impact knocked her to the ground and the bus was then shunted forward by your bus and over Melissa's body.

“She was later pronounced dead at the scene.”

Today Popoola, of Peckham, South London, got a suspended jail term and was banned from driving for three years at the Old Bailey.

Ms Burr’s mum Trish said experienced driver Popoola was lucky as she faced a “life sentence”.