Safe Speed Forums

Coroner's plea after boy killed by bus
Stan Miller

April 27, 2009

A CORONER has urged town hall chiefs to build a crossing at an accident blackspot where a schoolboy died.

Rofael Butt, 15, died instantly after stepping into the path of a double-decker bus on his way to school.

An inquest heard he had just bought sweets from a petrol station and appeared distracted as he started to cross Stockport Road in Longsight.

But Manchester coroner Nigel Meadows said he was disturbed by the high number of accidents that had taken place at the junction in recent years - and that there was no crossing within a quarter of a mile of where Rofael died.

Following the crash last December, Rofael's family and his teachers at Manchester Academy paid tribute to the popular youngster, the oldest of four children.

People in Longsight have called for urgent action in making the busy A6 safer for children.

Crossing wardens operate in the area in the mornings and afternoons, but residents say a permanent crossing would provide round-the-clock protection.

The inquest heard CCTV on the Stagecoach bus showed Rofael had walked into the road without looking.

Bus driver Stuart Goodwin said he had seen the boy on the kerb.

He said: "I thought he was going to stay there but, as I got level, he stepped into my path.

"I was travelling about 20-25mph and he was looking the other way."

Pc Mark Dickman, a crash expert, said the bus had braked within a second of the boy stepping on to the road.

He said: "The driver reacted quickly, but it was impossible for him to stop because he was too close to the boy."

Mr Meadows, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said it was possible Rofael was distracted by opening his sweets - but said he would ask council chiefs to consider installing a new safety crossings near the garage.

He said: "It's one of those horrible instances that is every parent's nightmare - and driver's."

It is a good example of the driver taking all reasonable steps to avoid a collision but still not succeeding.

[I] had seen the boy on the kerb.

I thought he was going to stay there but, as I got level, he stepped into my path.