Bendy bus woman makes £500K claim

A woman who suffered "catastrophic" brain damage after she was hit by a bendy bus could receive more than £500,000 in damages.

Rose-Marie Newey, 65, was crossing the Old Kent Road in south-east London, when the accident occurred in 2004.

She has since had to be cared for by her sister, the High Court heard.

South East London and Kent Bus Company agreed to be held 75% liable for the collision, with Ms Newey 25% to blame, as she was crossing on a red light.

Interim damages

Her counsel Christian Du Cannher told the court that CCTV footage showed the driver could see pedestrians intending to cross his path but chose not to brake or slow down.

He said in those circumstances, there was an opportunity - as much as three seconds - for him to have braked, although that did not excuse Ms Newey from choosing to cross when she did.

The judge, Mr Justice Coulson approved the settlement, together with an agreed interim damages payment of £15,000, pending a full assessment.

Ms Newey's lawyers said that it was a valuable claim that was likely to be worth more than £500,000.