Bus driver left dead man in his seat at end of shift

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Pawel Modzelewski died on the night bus and remained there unnoticed until a member of the public raised the alarm more than six hours later, an inquest was told.

The 25-year-old had got on the No36 bus after midnight in Queen's Park and CCTV footage shows him slumped over his seat 12 minutes later.

The driver of the bus noticed Mr Modzelewski on the top deck but "forgot" about him when he went home for the night, Southwark coroner's court heard.

Paul Bailey, accident prevention manager for London Central Bus Company, told the hearing the driver thought Mr Modzelewski was asleep and tried to rouse him at New Cross Gate bus garage.

He said: "There was no response. He drove the bus into the garage to be refuelled and cleaned by contractors.

"He forgot to tell anyone about the man. The cleaners didn't clean the bus and on finishing his duty, the driver went home."

The dead man, originally from Poland, was discovered by a commuter on the bus the next morning.

In a statement Morlaye Keppy-Camara said: "I got on the 171 bus and went upstairs. I walked towards the back of the bus. As I did so I passed a white male. He was slumped forwards in his seat and not moving."

Mr Keppy-Camara noticed vomit on Mr Modzelewski's clothes and spoke to the driver.

Police discovered an empty syringe in Mr Modzelewski's right hand and a small wrap of what appeared to be heroin.

Recording a narrative verdict, coroner Dr Andrew Harris said the cause of death was an overdose of drink and drugs, but added there were "missed opportunities" to save Mr Modzelewski's life.

Mr Modzelewski's uncle Eligiusz, who is also living in the UK, said: "If my nephew had had help earlier, maybe things would have been different."