A Worcester Park mother and her four-year-old daughter have been killed in an accident involving a park-and-ride bus taking fans back from the Wimbledon Championships.

Andrea Bugeja, 31, of Mayfair Avenue, died instantly after her car collided head on with the bus carrying a dozen passengers in Malden Road, New Malden, at around 5.30pm on Sunday.

Her daughter Abigail, who was travelling in the front seat, was later pronounced dead after being taken to Kingston Hospital. She was due to start school at Cheam Common Infants' School in September.

As the Guardian went to press, members of the Bugeja family were still too traumatised to comment. Mrs Bugeja's husband is being comforted by relatives who arrived this week to stay at the house with him.

Residents in Mayfair Avenue were also shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the accident involving the young family, who had only moved to the address last year.

It is believed the accident happened as Mrs Bugeja and her daughter were travelling from Worcester Park towards the A3.

Police said Mrs Bugeja's car appeared to cross into the oncoming lane of traffic and then collided with the double decker bus, which was returning to the car park at Motspur Park sports club.

According to a police spokesman, the bus driver tried in vain to avoid hitting the car. He was later taken to Kingston Hospital suffering from shock and a back injury. None of the passengers on the bus was seriously injured.

PC Mike Crewes said: "For reasons we have yet to establish, the car went onto the wrong side of the road. The bus driver tried to take evasive action. He managed to lock all his brakes and skidded, but the car hit the bus."

London General, which runs the park-and-ride service, said: "None of the 12 passengers on the bus were seriously hurt, although the bus driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock and is currently away from work.

"We are greatly saddened by this incident and are co-operating fully with the police investigation."

An inquest was opened and adjourned on Monday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call PC Philip Connelly at Hampton traffic unit on 020 8247 6935.

July 11, 2002 11:00