• 74-year-old Grace Mecaley killed after being struck by a bus while using a pedestrian crossing
• TfL failed to properly manage risks to pedestrians at Walthamstow Bus Station
• Similar collision in 2022 and five near misses recorded in the two days before Grace’s death
Transport for London (TfL) has been convicted and fined £2 million after a 74-year-old woman was struck by a bus and killed while using a pedestrian crossing at Walthamstow Bus Station.
Mrs Grace Mecaley was walking home after shopping on Walthamstow High Street on 15 December 2023 when she was struck by a double-decker bus.
At around 5pm, Mrs Mecaley was crossing the road from Rose Bank Villas at an authorised pedestrian crossing. She was around two-thirds of the way across when a number 212 bus rounded the corner and struck her.
Mrs Mecaley suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that TfL had failed to ensure pedestrians and vehicles could circulate safely at the bus station.
The crossing was positioned at the apex of a bend, where buses turned into the station. Its position and the angle at which buses approached meant drivers could turn towards the crossing without a clear view of its full length.
The ‘red carpet’ crossing was intended to give pedestrians priority. However, the layout created ambiguity over right of way and increased the risk of a collision.
TfL’s failure to manage the risks at the crossing persisted for years. Despite a pedestrian being struck by a bus in similar circumstances in April 2022, TfL failed to risk assess the crossing. CCTV footage also captured five near misses in the two days before Mrs Mecaley was killed.
HSE’s investigation also found TfL had failed to adequately monitor bus drivers operating at the station.
The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 provides guidance on keeping pedestrians and vehicles safe, including clearly marking traffic routes and avoiding sharp or blind bends where possible.
Transport for London (TfL) of 5 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching Regulation 17(1) of the Workplace Health, Safety, and Welfare Regulations 1992.
TfL was fined £2 million and ordered to pay £5081 in costs at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 September 2026.
Speaking at Westminster Magistrates’ Court HSE Inspector Laurence Goodacre said:
“Our deepest sympathies remain with Grace’s family who are represented here today by her son. Grace was a vibrant member of her community and her loss will be deeply felt.
“Grace was simply walking home after shopping when she was struck and killed while using an authorised pedestrian crossing.
“TfL had a responsibility to keep pedestrians safe, but its failings meant Grace never made it home.
“Grace died just days before Christmas and her family will continue to feel that loss particularly deeply at what should be a happy time of year.
“I hope today’s sentence provides them with some measure of comfort, knowing that those responsible for her death have been held to account.”
This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement Lawyers Rebecca Schwartz and Jon Mack and paralegal officer Thomas Smith.
Further information:
1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available here. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/3004/regulation/17
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. Guidance on the organisation of traffic, including vehicles and pedestrians, as well as crossings where these road users would intersect can be found here:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l24.pdf
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg136.pdf
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect fines. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.