THE TWO victims of Saturday’s (October 3) tragic bus crash have been named by their loved ones.
Rowan Fitzgerald, aged 7, of Leamington Spa and Dora Hancox, in her 70s, of Nuneaton, both died at the scene when a double- decker bus ploughed into the Sainsbury’s supermarket in the heart of the city.
Speaking to BBC Midlands Today, headteacher at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, Jane McSharry described Rowan as: “a perfect, kind, unassuming, gorgeous little boy, with a smile to melt any heart.”
The schoolboy had been travelling on the bus with his grandparents and eight-year-old cousin when it collided with the store on corner of Hales Street and Trinity Street.
The young girl sustained injuries to her face, head and right leg as well as suspected suspected chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries and remains in a stable condition in Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Inspector Paul Bennett, from the force’s Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The families of Rowan and Dora have suffered a devastating loss.
“Like people the length and breadth of Britain, we extend our deepest sympathies to them during this time.
“As they struggle to come to terms with their loss, they have chosen at this time not to release any images of their loved ones or to provide any words of tribute.”
Pupils at the Sydenham-based primary school in Leamington Spa are said to being supported by teachers and staff as they come to terms with the loss of Rowan.
Five other people suffered minor injuries in the collision and received treatment at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire.
The 77-year-old bus driver – former Leamington mayor Kailash Chander – has not been arrested but continues to help investigators as police renew their plea for people who were in the area at the time to get in touch.
Insp Bennett added: “This was a major crash and we know that there were people in the area at the time who are still yet to speak to our officers.
“I would ask those people to come forward now.
“They may not realise it but they may have a vital piece of information which nobody else holds. This – along with the trawl of CCTV footage and tests at the scene – could make all the difference to this on-going investigation.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to police should call the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting log 1017 of 4/10/15.
