Terrible second bus driver hits and kills a pedestrian as she crosses the highway whereas he’s distracted by studying a chunk of paper

Shocking footage shows the moment a bus driver who was distracted by a piece of paper hit and killed a pedestrian crossing the road.

Simon Mumford, 54, failed to see victim Amallia Elmasry as he was driving a single-decker City Bus along the Western Approach in Plymouth.

Mrs Elmasry crossed the road when the lights changed from red to amber and was struck by the front of Mumford’s bus just after 6pm on, January 7, 2024.

At the time Mumford had a piece of paper in his hand and was seen on bus CCTV lowering his glasses, looking down and reading the paper.

The bus was stopped by Mumford – but healthcare assistant Mrs Elmasry was pronounced dead at the scene.

Judge Robert Linford said the collision was ‘utterly avoidable’ after Mumford took his eyes off the road ‘for three to four seconds’.

Mumford, of Ladysmith Road in Plymouth, had no previous convictions and was not speeding or under the influence of drink or drugs at the time of the accident.

He was sentenced two years in prison on Thursday, December 12, having pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at a previous hearing.

Mumford was sentenced on Thursday, December 12, having pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving

Simon Mumford (pictured), of Ladysmith Road in Plymouth, had no previous convictions and was not speeding at the time of the accident

Simon Mumford, 54, failed to see victim Amallia Elmasry (pictured) after becoming distracted by a piece of paper

Mumford was also disqualified from driving for six years and must sit an extended retest before he regains his licence.

Judge Linford told Plymouth Crown Court: ‘You did not set out to harm anyone that day. The effect of this decision (to look at a piece of paper) proved fatal.

‘This is one of those cases where the appropriate punishment is immediate custody.’

Police sergeant Samantha Pullen from the Serious Collisions Investigations Team said: ‘This is tragic case which again demonstrates that even relatively brief periods of distraction on the road can have fatal consequences.

‘There is no doubt Simon Mumford did not intend to take a life that day, but by taking his eyes off the road to read the piece of paper, he did not spot Amallia Elmasry crossing, leading to the collision that resulted in her tragic death.

‘We’d like to express our sincere condolences to Mrs Elmasry’s family and remind motorists that regardless of what vehicle they drive, they must remain focussed on the road at all times to ensure the safety of themselves and others.’