'I was hit by a Bee Network bus... the driver just carried on and drove away'

A pensioner claims she's spent six months fighting for transport bosses to admit she was knocked over by a bus. Ann Thomson, 79, was walking with her husband Ken, 78 in Salford when she claims she was hit by a Bee Network bus pulling into a stop.

A passer-by got off the bus and helped her, she said, on March 12. Ann claims the driver initially got off the Go North West bus, but got back on and carried on his route.

She went to hospital the following day for an X-ray having been left with a 'badly bruised leg'. Fortunately, there were no broken bones, Ann says.

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Six months on, she claims she's still trying to get Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which runs the Bee Network, to admit responsibility. Bosses told the Manchester Evening News the case had been 'poorly handled'.

Ann alleged: "I felt a very heavy push on my back and I went over. I didn't realise what had happened at first, but I heard my husband say 'you've just knocked my wife over'. As I turned my head I was level with the doors of a Bee Network bus.

"The driver was looking straight at me. A young lady, bless her, got off and said 'do you need an ambulance?'. I said 'I don't think so, I think I am okay'.

"The driver then came out of his cab and stood at the doors. He pointed to the floor and said 'my wheels are on the road'. That was the first thing he said.

"That might have been the case, but the front of the bus was overhanging the pavement. The driver then walked around and got back on the bus and shut the doors. I didn't get his name, I didn't get the registration. I am angry at myself for that, but I was in shock."

Ann reported the incident to TfGM, but didn't want to take matters further at that stage. The following day, following a 'painful night' and a trip to hospital, she told them she did want to pursue the matter, requesting CCTV from the bus.

She claims she was told video isn't available and has been deleted. Ann says she's been 'passed from pillar to post'. Insurers are now involved.

TfGM told the M.E.N. CCTV was checked, but that 'a technical issue meant it was not functioning at the time'. Go North West - the operator of the bus involved - was told of the incident by TfGM.

The driver was 'spoken to' by bosses, TfGM added. Asked if they accepted the incident had happened - and if so, where the investigation was up to - a spokesperson said: "We are meeting with Clare Marshall [Ann's daughter] and Ann Thomson to update them next week and try and resolve this matter."

Ann added: "I am very, very disappointed. I would like them to accept responsibility."

TfGM's chief network officer Danny Vaughan said: "We absolutely recognise that this case has been poorly handled and has gone on for too long . We have apologised to Ms Marshall and Ms Thomson and will do so again in person when we meet with them next week.

"We will further discuss this with the operator before that meeting so that we can try to resolve this matter without any further delay."

Go North West said it had nothing to add to TfGM's statement.