‘Kind and thoughtful’ woman, 32, killed in two bus crash outside railway station

A woman killed when a bus crashed into the back of another outside a railway station in London has been named as Melissa Burr.

The 32-year-old, from Rainham in Kent, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at Victoria train station at around 9am on Tuesday (10 August).

Police said a total of three pedestrians were involved in the crash, which happened at around 8.25am on Tuesday.

Eyewitnesses said Melissa became trapped under one of the buses, which were both single-decker vehicles serving route 507.

Big Issue seller Jacob Davidson, 36, described how passers-by “swarmed” the scene following the crash in an attempt to help.

He said: “It was just a loud bang, the bus smashed into the back of the one in front.

“The front of it was all smashed in.

“There was a sound of panic… people shouting ‘can we get help’.”

Emergency services attended the scene, but despite their efforts Ms Burr was pronounced dead.

Police said two other people were treated for non-life threatening injuries, and no arrests have been made.

In a tribute, Melissa’s family described her as a “kind and thoughtful soul” who had a “quirky charm”.

In a statement issued through the Metropolitan Police, a spokesperson for Ms Burr’s family said: “We are absolutely devastated by loss and the hole that this incident has left in our lives.

“Melissa was a kind and thoughtful soul, had a quirky charm with such a bright future ahead of her.

“As a family we naturally want to understand how such a tragedy occurred, but for now we just want time and space to mourn our beautiful Melissa and send her to rest with her late father.”

Detective Constable Chris May of the Met’s serious collision investigation unit said: “This tragic incident claimed the life of a young woman and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.

“We are continuing to piece together the circumstances surrounding this collision and I am very keen to hear from any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police.

“If you have information please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call the serious collision investigation unit witness lines on 020 8543 5157, call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting 1450/10AUG.