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A 14-year-old boy was struck by a bus while walking along The Hard in Portsmouth on August 17, suffering life-threatening injuries and later dying in hospital. The bus driver, a 39-year-old man from Portsmouth, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Hampshire Constabulary is appealing for information and witnesses related to the incident, which occurred at approximately 4.25pm on August 17. The driver of the bus has been arrested and released on bail until November 17 while the investigation continues.
Hampshire Police are appealing for information and witnesses following the death of the 14-year-old boy, with the bus driver arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and released on bail pending further inquiries. In response to the incident, a petition has been launched urging Portsmouth Council to enhance safety measures at the bus stop, citing concerns over its design and the risk it poses to pedestrians.
What remains unclear — It is not confirmed whether the bus driver’s actions led to the dislodging of the lamppost that struck the boy.
Bus driver arrested following death of 14-year-old boy in Portsmouth crash
Tributes have been paid to a 14-year-old schoolboy killed after being struck by a bus.
The teenager was walking along The Hard in Portsmouth when he was struck, according to Hampshire Constabulary.
Pictures from the scene appear to show a single-decker bus stopped at the scene close to Portsmouth Harbour
One family friend posted on Facebook: ‘Such a great young man with so much to live for. A true credit to his family.
‘Rest in eternal peace. Sending love to your whole family. We will never forget you sweetheart.’
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A petition asking Portsmouth Council to make the bus stop safer claimed the schoolboy had been struck by a falling lampost.
It read: ‘This young boy was struck by a lamp post that had been dislodged by a bus mounting the kerb, resulting in him being rushed to critical care.
‘This heartbreaking incident is a grim reminder that the current location of the bus stop poses significant risks to safety due to its inadequate design and space constraints.’
It added the bus stop has a ‘dangerously narrow pavement’ that cannot safely accommodate waiting passengers with car drivers regularly seen performing ‘dangerous maneuvers’ to get past buses.
A Hampshire Police spokesman said: ‘We are appealing for information and witnesses as a young boy has died following a bus crash in Portsmouth.
‘At about 4.25pm on Monday August 17, police were called to The Hard after reports of a serious collision involving a pedestrian and a bus.
‘The pedestrian, a 14-year-old boy from Portsmouth, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and has since sadly passed away.
‘His family are being supported by specialist officers.’
The spokesman added: ‘The driver of the bus, a 39-year-old man from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and then released on bail until November 17 while further inquiries are carried out.’
A note attached to flowers left at the scene, which is close to a bus transport hub, says: ‘RIP Fly High. I will never forget our memories. We had such a good time in science.
‘Can’t believe what happened. We will all miss u lots. Forever 14.’
A Stagecoach spokesperson has said: ‘We can confirm that one of our bus drivers was involved in a collision with a pedestrian in Portsmouth yesterday, which resulted in the pedestrian sustaining injuries.
‘We are cooperating fully with Hampshire Constabulary and the local authorities, who are leading the investigation. As the matter is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.’