Bus crash victim suffered heart attack (From Wandsworth Guardian)
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Bus crash victim suffered heart attack
An 84-year-old who died after being hit by a bus was killed by a heart attack, an inquest has found.
Bus crash victim suffered heart attack
Grandfather John Chivers, of Mitcham, was crossing the road on the way to his church when the 264 bus knocked him down in Tooting.
Coroner Shirley Radcliffe said the impact would have been a contributory factor in Mr Chivers’ death last year, but a pathologist told Friday’s inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court he had also suffered a heart attack.
The Fowler Road resident and retired engineer was killed outside St Boniface Church in Mitcham Road, where he was a member of the congregation, about 6.45pm on November 7.
Two witnesses who helped at the scene of the accident said Mr Chivers was swaying and staggering as if he was drunk seconds before he was hit by the vehicle - but the inquest heard there had been absolutely no alcohol or drugs in his body.
Emma Menday from Surrey, who saw the accident, said: “He looked very unsteady... I kept thinking ‘get out of the road’, because I could see the bus further ahead.”
A police investigation found Mr Chivers was not upright when he was hit by the bus - although evidence from the bus driver contradicted this - which witnesses said was travelling about 20mph.
Police accident investigator PC Peter Traylor said there was no evidence of any impact with the front of the bus when the vehicle was examined - suggesting Mr Chivers had already collapsed when he was hit by it.
The bus driver, David Silver, who broke down while giving evidence, said he had made eye contact with Mr Chivers and he was upright before the impact.
Pathologist Dr Peter Wilkens said there was no obvious traumatic injury that had caused the death and suggested heart problems might have been the reason for his erratic behaviour - which was accepted by the coroner.
Dr Radcliffe recorded a verdict of accidental death, from ischemic heart disease contributed to by a road traffic collision.
This year churchgoers and residents campaigned for a new crossing near the site of the accident - and last month Wandsworth Council signed off plans for one to be installed.
After the inquest Mr Chiver’s widow said she did not accept the coroner’s findings, and was considering taking legal action.
