A woman pedestrian has died after a crash between a bus and a BMW in Penrhyn Road, Kingston, and seven others were taken to hospital.

Surrey Comet:

Emergency workers in Penrhyn Road. Pic: Jon Sharman

The woman, 20, died at the scene of the crash having been struck while crossing the road. Her family has been informed.

The driver of the white BMW M3, a 34-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, police said.

A witness said: "I heard a huge crash and then loads of screaming. When I looked out I saw the white car with its full front really smashed.

"Children were around and crying. There was so much confusion."

Twitter user Fabienne Formsma said: "Awful accident just happened on Penrhyn Road right outside my house. Car and a bus and the car was literally in pieces. So horrible."

The Metropolitan Police said its south-west serious collisions unit (SCIU) was investigating the crash, and appealed for witnesses.

  • Anyone with information should call 020 8543 5157, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting the reference 9258/31March.

Detective Sergeant John Hartfree, from SCIU based at Merton, said: "Penrhyn Road would have been busy at the time of the collision and I am appealing for anyone who saw this tragic event unfold to contact police.

"I am particularly keen to speak to the occupants of a dark-coloured car which was seen following the white BMW M3 car immediately prior to the collision."

Police said there were six people - a man and five children - in the car, but added none of their injuries were life-threatening or life-changing.

Pauline Cranmer, deputy director of operations at London Ambulance Service, said: "We were called at 9pm to reports of a road traffic collision in Penrhyn Road, Kingston.

"We sent a number of ambulance crews to the scene including seven ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic in a car and two duty managers.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews and colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, a woman, reported to be in her twenties died at the scene.

"We treated six other patients who were all taken to St George's Major Trauma Centre as a priority. They were:

  • A man, reported to be in his twenties.
  • A boy, reported to be four years old, who was treated for head and facial injuries.
  • A man, reported to be in his thirties, who was treated for a stomach injury.
  • A girl reported to be eight years old, for facial injuries.
  • A boy reported to be 12 years old with an arm injury.
  • And a man reported to be in his twenties with leg injuries.

"The bus driver was checked over at the scene but did not need to go to hospital.

"We declared a serious incident to help us care for the large number of patients on scene."

Surrey Comet:

The BMW taped off after the crash 

The crash took place between Woodbines Avenue and Surbiton Road, opposite Kingston University.

Police sealed off Penrhyn Road and patients were being treated by the side of the road.

It is believed a BMW collided with a 418 bus. A 281, a 71 and a K2 were also stopped in the road.

Surrey Comet:

Emergency workers in Penrhyn Road. Pic: Jon Sharman

Bus routes 71, 281, 406, 418, K2, K3 and N65 were put on diversion.