Aspiring singer killed in crash with double-decker bus days earlier than deal that was set to launch her music profession

An aspiring singer was killed in a crash with a double-decker bus just days before a meeting that was set to launch her music career.

Soriah Barry, 27, died following the crash in east London on February 8, 2025, shortly before 7am.

She had just dropped off a friend and was driving down Lea Bridge Road when her car careered into the stationary 308 bus.

Witnesses described hearing a loud bang, and bus driver Elizabeth Kalegga was thrown from the bus cab to the floor by the force of the impact.

Having received treatment at the scene, her family told how it was two hours before Ms Barry arrived at hospital, and that cruel trolls posted footage of her receiving CPR online.

The fatal accident occurred days before Ms Barry had been due to meet with Apple Music to discuss a deal to release her R&B music.

Apple Music has since said her songs will be released posthumously as a tribute to the talented singer. 

An inquest has heard how Ms Barry, who was described by friends as a careful driver, was not over the drink-drive limit and it is unclear exactly why she crashed.

Soriah Barry, 27, died following the crash in east London on February 8, 2025, shortly before 7am

An inquest heard Ms Barry was usually a careful driver and she was not over the drink-drive alcohol limit (Pictured: Ms Barry’s car after the crash)

Her family believe she may have been distracted, prompting her car to veer into the opposite lane, before accidentally hitting the accelerator pedal instead of the brake as she tried to avoid the collision.

In the moments before impact, her vehicle accelerated from 23mph to 35mph. 

Coroner Adam Smith agreed, noting that for three seconds Ms Barry made no attempt to take evasive action.

The inquest heard it is unknown what caused her distraction.

Ms Barry’s mother, Saphiatu, has raised concerns over the delay in transporting her daughter to hospital and hit out at social media firms in the wake of her family’s tragedy.

Speaking to Metro, she said: ‘It’s crazy to think I actually got there [to hospital] before her. Police came and picked me up at 8am and I spent ages waiting in family rooms before a surgeon told me nothing more could be done.’

She said that Ms Barry’s 13-year-old sister had seen the online footage of her being given CPR.

‘Trolls also said everything was Soriah’s fault,’ she added. ‘These people who post online should be ashamed and the likes of TikTok should not allow it to be uploaded. They have made our difficult lives without Soriah even harder.’

Ms Barry’s mother, Saphiatu, has raised concerns over the delay in transporting her daughter to hospital and hit out at social media firms in the wake of her family’s tragedy

Her family told how after the crash passers-by uploaded footage of Ms Barry receiving CPR to social media

While some filmed, other passers-by rushed to help Ms Barry.

One told the inquest how he rushed to the car door and asked if she was alright – to which she replied: ‘No, I’m not’.

Her cause of death was given as internal bleeding and severe damage to the liver. The coroner concluded she had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

A statement from Ms Barry’s family read: ‘Soriah was a loyal person always there for everyone in life. She was an aspiring singer.

‘She was an inspiring person who would have a massive impression on you. She was very very loved. We will never get over this.

‘She was just an amazing person who will always be in our hearts.’

Her aunt, Jamilah Barry, described her as ‘fierce, loyal, and wow – so full of life’.