Witnesses have spoken of their horror after a man was dragged under the wheels of a double-decker bus.

The man, thought to be in his 50s, was killed after being hit by the 131 bus in Tooting High Street, Tooting, at 6.20pm yesterday.

He was struck by the bus at a pedestrian crossing opposite Tooting Broadway station as the bus turned from Mitcham Road into Tooting High Street.

The London Ambulance Service pronounced him dead at the scene. Enquiries are being made to inform next of kin before he can be identified.

The bus driver stopped at the scene and no arrests have been made.

Mark Smith, who was at the pedestrian crossing at the same time, said he thought it was odd the man carried on walking across the road while traffic was moving.

He said: "The bus had just turned from the right to go into Tooting High Street and the man walked straight into the side of the bus and got caught under the front wheel.

"It was if he was day dreaming and was totally unaware of the traffic moving around him.

"Police were at the scene within a minute, and I left shortly after as I was shocked and felt quite ill having just witnessed this terrible accident."

Martyn Ziemys, a Snappy Snaps worker, said: "There was a lot of ambulances, the fire brigade and police - all of them were out there.

"At some point they did erect a tent by the railing over there."

Milan Modhwadia, who works at Phones 4u, said: "Some people are saying it hit him and the other bus ran him over.

"No-one looks when they are crossing. We have got a lot of traffic here and no-one looks."

Police closed off Tooting High Street and Mitcham Road after the incident and 12 bus routes were on diversion.

Mike Weston, Transport for London's director of buses, said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the person who tragically died yesterday evening after a collision with a route 131 double deck bus.

"Emergency services attended the scene and we are assisting the Metropolitan Police Service with their investigation."

Councillor James Daley, ward councillor for Tooting, said the junction is one of the most dangerous in the borough.

He said: "Most other junctions like this have already been redesigned, allowing pedestrians to cross safely from side to side or diagonally in one journey.

"Hopefully this tragic accident will prompt the mayor's transport team into action, so that we see a safer, redesigned junction before we see any more fatalities."

Last February Percy Hibbert, 90, was decapitated in Upper Tooting Road, Tooting, close to the scene of the incident.

Claire O'Hanlon, of Clarence Lane, Roehampton, was killed by a lorry in Danebury Avenue, Roehampton, last month.

Do you know more? Contact the newsdesk on 020 8722 6344 or email: arucki@london.newsquest.co.uk.

 

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