THE YOUNG Leamington boy killed in the Coventry bus crash at the weekend has been named as seven-year-old Rowan Fitzgerald.
The St Anthony’s Catholic primary school pupil had been travelling on the double decker bus with his grandparents and eight-year-old cousin when it smashed into the Sainsbury’s supermarket on the corner of Trinity Street and Hales Street around 6pm on Saturday (October 3).
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.
Nuneaton woman Dora Hancox, who was in her 70s and a pedestrian on Trinity Street, died at the scene as a result of her injuries.
Speaking to BBC Midlands Today St Anthony’s headteacher, Jane McSharry, said: “Rowan was a perfect, kind, unassuming, gorgeous little boy, with a smile to melt any heart.”
Insp Paul Bennett, from West Midlands Police, 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.
“They have also asked for the media to respect their privacy as they grieve.
“Similarly, the media are asked to allow the children at the school to come to terms with the loss of Rowan without the intrusion of cameras. Pupils continue to be supported by teachers and staff.”
Four others suffered injuries as a result of the collision and received hospital treatment.
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.
“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,” added Insp Bennett.
“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 is asked to call 101.
