An inquest heard that a double-decker coach hit a schoolgirl as she hurried to catch another bus with her friend, killing her.
On March 18, a bus hit Sophie Jain Fletcher on Sheaf Lane, Sheldon, Birmingham, killing her.
Despite emergency services’ best efforts to bring the 15-year-old to hospital, an inquest heard she died from severe head injuries.
At Birmingham Coroner’s Court, the National Express bus driver hit Sophie when she ran out in front of him before 3pm.
The court heard that woman raced into the carriageway with a friend after getting off a bus on the opposite side of the road and was hurrying to get another across the street.
West Midlands Police accident investigation officer PC Gail Arnold said: ‘Both females got off the bus and rushed along the footpath and behind the bus into the carriageway.
She ran out in the road from behind the bus and couldn’t prevent the crash.
She said dash-cam footage from another car showed the catastrophe and that Sophie’s bus was going 23mph in a 30mph zone.
Assistant Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull Ian Dreelan said Sophie and her friend left a bus and ran behind it.
Sophie kept running when her pal stopped. An approaching double-decker bus hit her.
Video shows the bus driver was unable to respond in time.
The distance was too short.
She died at the scene from injuries. Death was caused by serious head injuries.
The coroner called it ‘exceptionally terrible’ and ruled that the adolescent died in a car crash.
Sophie’s parents remarked, ‘It is with deep grief and a heavy heart that on Saturday 18th March 2023, our beloved daughter Sophie Jain Fletcher was taken from us.
She was a lovely girl with a great charm and presence.
She will be missed by her family and friends in and out of school.
Mommy will always hold your hand and you’ll always be daddy’s princess.
Beautiful Sophie Soph, fly high. Mommy and Daddy love you forever xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Sophie’s Euphoria Dance Studios teacher Catriona O’Brien also remembered her.
She wrote: Sophie was a joy to teach, always happy and eager to please, always did her best, and was the most wonderful little child.
“RIP beautiful girl, we will never forget you.”