f=Clarion MT s=10 w=10 l=10.5A TRAGIC accident in Wood Green resulted in the deaths of a minibus driver and a young woman.o

The driver, Edwin Urquhart, 53, of Devonshire Road, Palmers Green, is said to have collapsed at the wheel of the N-registration Mercedes minibus and then veered across the road and hit a pedestrian before ploughing into a building in Station Road.

Police said Mr Urquhart was crushed by the concrete overhang to Greenwood House, Haringey Council's benefit agency, that collapsed on to the front of the bus.

The pedestrian hit by the vehicle was Caroline Stone, 26, of Buchanan Close, Winchmore Hill. She was taken away by air ambulance, but had suffered multiple injuries and was declared dead before reaching hospital.

Eyewitness Oliver Lewis, 26, of Cumberland Road said: "I was walking down Station Road going to the bus stop, and I just heard this really loud bang and saw the final stage of the bus going into the arch it looked like quite a nasty accident.

"I walked around and saw this person lying on the pavement. It was a harrowing scene, really grim."

The investigating officer, Sgt Michael Bute, said: "For no apparent reason, the vehicle straddled the white lines, went over the other side of the road and mounted the pavement."

He added: "The bus was extensively damaged and it has been taken away for investigation by the police. It should be examined by one of our collision investigators in the next couple of days."

The road had to be closed for at least four hours after the incident.

Mr Urquhart was a driver for H & B Travel, the company that provide a shuttle service between Alexandra Palace and Wood Green. He had worked there for more than two years. At the time of the accident, about 12.25pm on Saturday, he was returning to Wood Green and there were no passengers on the bus. The company's vehicles are also used for other journeys, including taking disabled youngsters to and from school.

Margaret Piper, a manager at the travel company, said: "It has been a shock to all of us. He was so good with the children.

"He was a very nice gentleman and everybody is devastated."

She added: "We have got a big collection going and we are hoping to get a wreath made up in the shape of a train, because he was one of those people that are interested in steam trains and buses."

Continued investigation into the crash is being undertaken by the police traffic department at Chadwell Heath. If you were a witness or have any information that may help the inquiries, contact Sgt Michael Bute on 8345 4955.Pic: the damaged building near to a bus stop - the disaster could have been even worse if it had hit the stop. opposite the Crown Prosecution Service office.