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Ban bendy buses, says father of man dragged to his death
Jack Lefley, Evening Standard21.05.08
The father of man dragged to his death under a bendy bus has called for them to be banned.
Lee Beckwith, 21, died when he tried to retrieve his fiancée's mobile phone from one of the 18-metre, 16.8-tonne vehicles. The driver was unaware of his plight and drove the No 25 off along Ilford High Road.
Since Mr Beckwith's death last October his fiancée Gemma has given birth to their second daughter, Roxie-Leigh. They already had daughter Tia.
An inquest found yesterday that he probably slipped under the bus and was caught by the disabled access ramp. An investigator told Walthamstow Coroner's Court that the tile fitter would not have been dragged so far if he had been run over by a shorter bus.
Mr Beckwith's father Paul called for London's fleet of bendy buses to be taken off the road. He said: "How is it possible this has happened without the driver noticing for a mile?"
Investigating officer Pc Clive Austin said: "With this bus's weight and power it is unlikely a human body would offer any resistance. It would not have a handling effect."
Mr Beckwith shouted: "You are saying it should not be on the roads."
Lee's friend Henry Marsh, who was with him on the night, said: "In a fraction of a second he vanished before my eyes and the bus drove off.
There was no sound and no Lee."
A passers-by found his body in Romford Road and dialled 999. Police described a trail of Mr Beckwith's remains stretching along the road.
Driver Thatuvashandan Sivajoti said he only knew what had happened hours later when he was arrested. No charges were brought.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Beckwith was about twice the legal drink-drive limit. The cause of death was given as " multiple injuries".
Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Dr Elizabeth Stearns said: "The only scrap of comfort is I do not think Lee could have suffered. He must have sustained very serious injuries rapidly."
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