Girl missing after being hit by bus (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Girl missing after being hit by bus in Upper Richmond Road

1:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Amy Dyduch

A girl who prompted a police helicopter search after she ran in front of a bus last night has not been found.

Police feared the girl, who was thought to be about 16, may have been seriously injured when she was hit by the single decker route 33 at about 5.20pm in Upper Richmond Road.

A police spokesman said: “She was hit by the bus causing damage to the windscreen and bumper but before anyone could check she was ok she ran off.

“Officers attended and searched the area along with the police helicopter as they were concerned she may have been seriously injured.

“Neither our officers nor the helicopter could find her.”

Katie Harris, who works in the One Small Step shop opposite Waitrose, said the front bumper of the bus was lying in the road but there was no sign of the girl.

She said: “The girl was nowhere to be seen. The front of the bus had come off. The bus stop was pretty rammed because they had to get off.

“I didn’t even know what was going on, I thought the bus had crashed. It was by Waitrose car park and then as I walked across the road the front of it was lying in the road by Feather and Black.”

Mike Weston, operations director for London Buses, said: “A route 33 single deck bus, operated by London United, was involved in a collision with a pedestrian on Upper Richmond Road West near Sheen Lane. There will be a full investigation into this incident.”

The London Ambulance Service did not attend the scene.

Did you see the incident? Call our newsdesk on 0208 744 4274 or email: amy.dyduch@london.newsquest.co.uk.