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Orpington crash: Minutes silence to be held after bus driver killed and 15 injured

16:33, 03 November 2019

updated: 12:14, 04 November 2019

Bus drivers will pull over and observe a minutes silence after one of their number was killed and several passengers were injured in a horror crash earlier this week.

Police, scores of paramedics and 60 firefighters were called to the collision in Sevenoaks Road, Orpington, shortly before 10.15pm on Thursday.

Emergency services at the scene of last night's crash Video: UKNIP

One person has been killed and 15 injured in a crash between two buses and a car in Orpington. Picture: UKNIP
One person has been killed and 15 injured in a crash between two buses and a car in Orpington. Picture: UKNIP

Metropolitan Police confirmed the 60-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and paramedics treated 15 casualties, three of which have serious injuries.

The bus driver's next-of-kin have been informed. Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

A man, the 20-year-old driver of the car, was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution but has now been released pending further investigation.

Now Arriva, the bus company which serves Kent and Medway, have said staff at their Northfleet garage will observe a minutes silence at 11am tomorrow.

It said: "In respect to our colleague who sadly lost his life whilst on duty on Thursday 31st October 2019, our driving staff at Northfleet Bus Garage will be observing a minutes silence.

"Buses and staff where safe to do so, will stop and reflect on this tragic accident at 11:00 on Monday 04th November 2019.

"Members of the public are welcome to take the time and observe this minutes silence with us."

Six fire engines, two fire rescue units and around 60 firefighters attended the crash alongside 10 ambulances, the air ambulance road team, two incident response officers and the ambulance's Hazardous Area Response Team.

All 15 injured people were taken to hospital — three were in serious conditions.

Assistant Commissioner of London Fire Brigade Graham Ellis said: “Firefighters rescued several casualties from the buses and immediately undertook first aid, being joined by colleagues from London Ambulance Service.

"Firefighters also made the vehicles and surrounding area safe."

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses and footage following the fatal crash.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room number on 020 8285 1574 or police on 101 quoting CAD 9509/31OCT.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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