Schoolgirl, 15, died after being hit by double-decker as she ran to try and catch bus with her friend, inquest hears

• Sophie Jain Fletcher was hit by a National Express bus in Sheldon, Birmingham

A schoolgirl tragically died after being hit by a double-decker coach as she ran to try and catch another bus with her friend, an inquest has heard. 

Sophie Jain Fletcher was fatally injured after a bus ploughed into her in Sheaf Lane, Sheldon, in Birmingham, on March 18, this year. 

An inquest heard the 15-year-old died from severe head injuries despite the best efforts of emergency services who raced to the scene and rushed her to hospital.

The hearing at Birmingham Coroner’s Court was told the driver of the National Express bus could not avoid hitting Sophie as she ran out in front of him just before 3pm.

She had dashed into the carriageway after getting off a bus on the other side of the road with a friend and was running to try and get another across the street, the court heard.

Sophie Jain Fletcher, pictured, was involved in a collision with a National Express bus in Sheldon, Birmingham

The 15-year-old, pictured here with her mother Emma, tragically died after being hit by a bus on March 13, this year

PC Gail Arnold, a collision investigation officer with West Midlands Police, said: ‘Both girls got off the bus and ran down the side of the bus on the footpath and continued running behind the bus into the carriageway.

READ MORE HERE:  Pictured: Schoolgirl, 15, who died after being hit by a bus in Birmingham

‘She ran out in the road from behind the bus and nothing could be done to avoid the accident.’

She said the tragedy was also captured on dash-cam footage from another vehicle and the bus which collided with Sophie was travelling at 23mph in a 30mph zone.

Assistant Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull Ian Dreelan said: ‘Sophie and her friend had left a bus and ran behind the back of the bus.

‘Her friend stopped but Sophie continued to run. She was struck by an oncoming double decker bus.

‘It is clear from video footage that the bus driver was simply unable to react in time.

‘The distance was simply too short.

‘She suffered injuries which caused her to die at scene. Death was caused by a severe head trauma.’

An inquest heard Sophie received severe head injuries after being hit by the bus. Pictured: A different bus at the bus stop where Sophie was hit in Sheaf Lane 

Floral tributes to Sophie were left at the scene of the crash, with her family calling her a ‘beautiful young girl’

An inquest heard the driver of the National Express bus could do nothing to avoid hitting Sophie 

The coroner described what happened as ‘exceptionally tragic’ and recorded a verdict the teenager died as a result of a road traffic collision.

At the time, Sophie’s heartbroken parents paid tribute to their daughter and said: ‘It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that on Saturday 18th March 2023, our precious daughter Sophie Jain Fletcher was taken from us.

‘She was a beautiful young girl with an amazing personality and presence to match.

‘She will be so greatly missed by all her family, friends whether in or outside of school.

‘Mommy will always hold your hand and you will always be daddy’s little princess.

‘Fly high our beautiful Sophie Soph. We will love you, forever & always Mommy & Daddy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.’

Sophie was a student at Euphoria Dance Studios and teacher Catriona O’Brien also previously paid tribute to the youngster.

She wrote: ‘Sophie was such a joy to teach, always so happy and eager to please, always tried her best and was just the most loving little person.

‘RIP beautiful girl, we will never forget you.’

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