BUSHEY ACADEMY PAYS TRIBUTE TO KILLED 11-YEAR-OLD PUPIL

A Bushey school has paid tribute to a Year 7 pupil who was tragically killed when waiting at a bus stop yesterday. Lily-Rose Murphy, an 11-year-old pupil at Bushey Academy, lost her life after a car mounted the pavement and collided with her and her mother. Police were called at 12:21pm to The Common, Stanmore, following reports of a car in collision with two pedestrians. The Ford Fiesta was travelling north when it moved into the right hand lane. It then mounted the pavement and collided with the two victims waiting at the bus stop, as well as a stationary bus. The schoolgirl was pronounced dead at the scene. No one was injured on the bus. A post-mortem examination is due to be held today at Northwick Park Hospital. An inquest will open in due course at Barnet Coroner’s Court. The girl’s mother, aged 46, was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition. The driver, a 69-year-old woman, was cut from her car by the London Fire Brigade and taken to hospital with minor injuries. She remains in hospital. Andrew Hemmings, Principal of The Bushey Academy, describe Lily-Rose as an “exemplary” pupil. He said: “It was with great sadness that we heard of the tragic loss of one of our students, Lily-Rose Murphy. “Lily-Rose was a Year 7 student fully involved in all aspects of school life.  She thoroughly enjoyed school and was seen by all staff as an exemplary student who embodied the proud to belong ethos of the academy. She was popular and hardworking and was an active member at the summer school that was run prior to her starting in Year 7 in September.  She was also heavily involved in planning activities to raise funds for the academy’s chosen charity. “Our thoughts are firmly with the family and those closest to Lily-Rose and we are doing everything possible to support fellow students and staff. We have provided access to experienced counsellors and support workers to talk to those who are most affected.” Enquiries into the cause of the collision continue and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information can contact the Witness Line on 020 8842 1817.