Donegal link to tragic London Bus station pedestrian's death

A 56-year-old woman who was tragically killed at London's Victoria Bus station earlier this week was the niece of a former Deputy Principal of Magh Ene College in Bundoran, Ray McGough.

Galway native, Catherine ‘Kathleen’ Finnegan lost her life while on her way to work on Monday morning, shortly after the rush hour, when a red double-decker bus crashed into a passenger shelter at Terminus Place. 

Kathleen had earlier travelled by train from her home in New Malden in London to Victoria station.

Ray, who was the recipient of a life saving kidney transplant last year, now living in Belleek, said the family and especially his sister and mother of Kathleen were “deeply deeply shocked and saddened”.

Ray told donegalllive.ie that his deceased niece, her sisters and brother used to stay with him in Rossnowlagh, while he worked in Ballyshannon as a teacher. 

“I was teaching in Ballyshannon ETB at that time and as I used to tread the boards in local musicals like Brigadoon and Annie get your gun, the family would regularly visit to support me and that included Kathleen.   

“I would also stay with Kathleen in New Malden in transit to Egypt as she lived quite close to Heathrow airport, not to mention all her visits home.

He added: “On arrival at Victoria station she walked from the train station to a bus shelter outside the station to commute to her office where she worked as an Estate Agent. While waiting for her bus she was tragically killed.

“After completing her education in Tuam she moved to London and worked in real estate till her death on Monday morning.

He recalled her amazing abilities and charm: “Kathleen could sell coal to a coal miner as she had that unique Irish smile and wit.”

A family statement said that they had lost their “beloved daughter, sister, partner, most adored auntie and treasured friend".

"She will be remembered as a very unique lady who had the fast Irish wit and who made her family and friends so very proud of her bright, clever personality.

“She was a whirlwind in any room and lit up this world with her energy, enthusiasm for life and joy. She will be forever in our hearts.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the station had closed "for the foreseeable future" after what he described as an "awful tragedy".

Police are investigating the full circumstances of the tragedy and are appealing for witnesses. The bus driver, a 46-year-old female, was hospitalised. but later released and another person is also said to have received minor injuries and was treated at the scene.  

While funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised, Kathleen will be taken home for burial in the family plot in Cortoon cemetery Tuam, Co Galway.