Nine hurt as bus slams into city-centre supermarket

Tributes flood in for Nuneaton pensioner killed in Sainsbury's bus crash



A pensioner killed in Saturday’s horror bus crash in Coventry has been described as a “wonderful woman”.

Dora Hancox, from Nuneaton, was killed when a double-decker bus crashed in to Sainsbury’s in Trinity Street, also killing a seven-year-old boy who was on board the bus.

The 76-year-old widow and grandmother-of-four was thought to have been withdrawring money from the cash machine when the horror smash happened.

Her family have now paid tribute and her daughter Wendy Hancox said: “She will be sadly missed by all and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will now not have the opportunity to gain memories from getting to know her.”

Widow Dora lost her husband Harry aged 80 in 2012.

Wendy added: “My mum has struggled to come to terms with the loss of my dad, as he suffered from dementia.

“This tragedy has cut short her life at the time when she was just starting to live again.”

Another one of her daughters, who did not want to give her name, has previously told how the horror unfolded.

She said: “My mum was just visiting Coventry when it happened. She was a wonderful woman. We are all completely shocked.”

Tributes have been flooding in as neighbours describe her as a “lovely lady”.

One said: “She was widowed a few years ago but remained very independent. She liked to go shopping to Coventry most Saturdays.”

Family pay tribute to seven-year-old boy killed in Coventry bus crash



The heartbroken family of seven-year-old Rowan Fitzgerald who was killed in the Coventry bus tragedy have paid tribute to their football-loving son.

The youngster had been on his way home to Leamington from the Ricoh Arena when the double decker bus crashed into Sainsbury’s in Trinity Street on Saturday October 3.

His relatives have made a desperate appeal for information to help them understand why their “beautiful little boy” was taken from them.

They said: “Rowan was an adorable, caring person who gave so much love to anyone he met; he was a handsome little boy, whose cheeky smile lit up any room.

“He made life full of laughter with never a dull moment and always kept us going with his cheeky little ways.

“He loved his sports, especially football. He was returning from the Ricoh Arena when this tragedy happened.

“We love and miss him so much and as a family would appreciate any information that can be given to the police investigation to help us understand why our little boy was taken from us.

“We wish for the media to leave us alone while we grieve the loss of our beautiful little boy and try and come to terms with what has happened.”

Rowan’s eight-year-old cousin was also injured in the collision and had to have an operation on her leg.

Coventry bus crash funeral fundraiser fraud fear



A website set up to raise money for the funerals of the victims of the Coventry bus crash has been referred to a national fraud agency, police said.

Rowan Fitzgerald, seven, and Dora Hancox, 76, were killed when the double-decker crashed into a city centre Sainsbury's store on 3 October.

A fundraising page has raised £750 in the past 15 days, but one of the victims' relatives has raised concerns with West Midlands Police.

Donations are no longer being accepted.

Ian Brownsword, who started the fundraising page, was not available for comment.

But a message posted on the page said: "Apologies all however we are not accepting anymore donations due to people accusing me of scamming everyone.

"Therefore I please urge anyone who is in contact to get the families to contact me so I can forward the donations so far.

"I've done everything I can to help these families only to have it all thrown back at me!"

West Midlands Police said concerns had been raised with them about the fundraising page by the family of one of the victims.

The force said it had referred the matter to Action Fraud, which will collate a report to pass back to police, and then then decide whether to investigate.

A spokesman for Action Fraud said: "I can confirm that Action Fraud has received this report and that it is currently being assessed."

No charges for man who set up Coventry bus crash fundraiser website

No further action will be taken by police over an accusation that a fundraising website set up after the fatal bus crash in Coventry city centre was a scam.

Mechanic Ian Brownsword was spoken to by officers after he set up a Go Fund Me page following the deaths of Rowan Fitzgerald and Dora Hancox in October.

But after a series of accusations online the matter was handed over to West Midlands Police.

Yesterday, nearly four months after the initial fraud complaint was made, police told Mr Brownsword that no further action would be taken against him.

Mr Brownsword, who has always said he was innocent of any wrongdoing, said the last few months have been “dire”.

“Since all this started my wife and daughter have been living with my mother-in-law,” he said.

“I’ve been living out of Coventry because of the threats and harassment I’ve received.

“Despite that I’m still doing another charity event - without people doing things for charity the world would be a much grimmer place.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “A thorough investigation by economic crime detectives has now concluded and there will be no further police action in relation to this matter.”

Midland Red bus driver charged with death by dangerous driving



A Midland Red bus driver has today been charged with causing death by dangerous driving when his vehicle ploughed into Sainsbury’s supermarket two years ago.

Kailash Chander, 79 – who is also a former Leamington town mayor – has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Two people died in the incident in October 2015.

They were passenger Rowan Fitzgerald, seven, of Leamington, and pedestrian Dora Hancox, 76.

Several others were hurt.

A statement from the Crown Prosecution added: “Mr Chander’s employer, Midland Red (South) Limited, has been charged with two offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

“Mr Chander and Midland Red (South) Limited will appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on September 7 in relation to these charges.”

I hope he can live with his conscience.

He's not been convicted of anything yet Melisandre!

No I suppose not .

Driver and employer charged - Intriguing.

Sainsbury's bus crash driver and Midland Red appear in court after two killed



A Midland Red bus driver has appeared in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving when a double-decker ploughed into Sainsbury’s supermarket two years ago.

Kailash Chander, 79 – who is also a former Leamington town mayor – has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He appeared briefly before Coventry magistrates today where he confirmed his name and address.

He was bailed to appear before Warwick Crown Court in Leamington Spa on October 6 at 10am.

Mr Chander’s employer, Midland Red (South) Limited, was also charged with two offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The company also appeared in court today and will appear for further hearing in relation to those charges at a future date.