Police probe driving of London bus after passenger dies following cardiac arrest

Police are investigating whether the death of a 78-year-old woman by cardiac arrest after she boarded a London bus was linked to how the vehicle was driven.

The elderly woman was taken ill shortly after getting on the bus in Finchley Road, north London, on December 28, the Metropolitan Police said.

Detectives are investigating whether the driving of the route 13 bus had any impact on what happened to her, the PA news agency understands.

The pensioner was taken to hospital and died seven days later on January 4, the Met said.

The bus driver is “assisting police with inquiries”, and there has been no arrest, Scotland Yard said.

Transport for London (TfL) would not confirm if the driver in question has been suspended.

The force said in a statement: “At around 12.35pm on Saturday December 28 a 78-year-old woman was taken ill following a cardiac arrest on board a route 13 bus at Finchley Road, NW3.

“The woman had just boarded the bus prior to the incident.

“Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was taken to hospital. She sadly died there on Saturday January 4.

“The woman’s family are being supported by a specially trained officer.

“Officers are investigating the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.”

Police are asking anyone who was on board the bus at the time of the incident but left prior to the arrival of police, and who could assist police, to call 101 or contact @MetCC on social media platform X and quote CAD2686/28Dec.

Rosie Trew, TfL’s head of bus service delivery, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who tragically died after an incident on board a bus in Finchley.

“We are working with the police to assist them in their investigation, alongside the bus operator, RATP Transit London.”