Bradley Douglas Whangarei NZ Death – Bradley Douglas, a 25-year-old man from Whangarei, New Zealand, tragically lost his life in a fatal accident near Clapham Junction Station in south London last October.
Just a month after moving to the UK as part of an overseas exchange program, Bradley’s life was cut short when he was struck by a bus, suffering a catastrophic brain injury.
An inquest at Inner West London Coroner’s Court provided details of the tragic night, revealing that Bradley had been out with friends before the incident occurred.
After becoming intoxicated, he was asked to leave the Clapham Grand entertainment venue. Shortly after reuniting with his friends, Bradley stepped into the road and into the path of a bus navigating a right-hand turn onto St John’s Hill.
The court heard that the bus driver, though reacting quickly by braking, was unable to avoid the collision. Bradley was hit by the corner pillar of the bus and sustained a severe head injury.
Assistant coroner Jean Harkin explained that despite the bus driver’s failure to wear his prescribed glasses, forensic evidence indicated that the crash was unavoidable due to the circumstances.
Bradley was rushed to St George’s University Hospital in Tooting, where doctors determined the severity of his injuries. Dr. Maresa Santi testified that despite efforts to resuscitate him and restore cardiac rhythm, Bradley’s head injuries were deemed unsurvivable. His parents flew from New Zealand and, after a heart-wrenching decision, chose to withdraw life support. Bradley passed away on October 11, 2023.
Tributes poured in online, with many remembering Bradley as a “special” person with a “big heart.” His family also made the selfless decision to donate his organs, further honoring his memory.
In her concluding remarks, Assistant Coroner Jean Harkin expressed the court’s condolences to Bradley’s family, acknowledging the profound tragedy of their loss. She confirmed that Bradley had died from a traumatic brain injury caused by the road traffic collision.
The tragic loss of Bradley Douglas serves as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can change. His memory remains alive in the hearts of his loved ones and those who knew him, both in New Zealand and the UK.