Wimbledon-Based Bus Driver Reported To Have Died From Covid-19


He is among eight London bus staff thought to have died in the pandemic

London buses

A bus driver based at the Waterside Way bus depot, off Plough Lane in Wimbledon, has reported to have died after contracting the coronavirus.

 

Rodolfo Silva was employed by Go-Ahead London at the Waterside Way depot, off Plough Lane in Wimbledon, where it runs the 39, 485 and 493 services.

 

A spokesman for the company said: “We were informed on Friday morning (April 3) that Mr Silva had sadly died. The cause of his death has yet to be established.

 

“Our thoughts are with Mr Silva’s family and friends at this very difficult time. Mr Silva was a dedicated and popular member of our Waterside Way team.

 

“The company is very mindful of the important job its workforce is undertaking at this difficult time and would like to thank them, while also paying tribute to their dedicated professionalism.”

Merton Councillor Martin Whelton tweeted: "Incredibly sad that Rodolfa Silva, a bus driver at Waterside Way bus depot in Wimbledon has died. Our thoughts are also with all the families and friends of bus drivers who have unfortunately died from #COVID19. May they RIP".

 

At least ten London transport workers – including eight bus staff – were reported to have died of coronavirus earlier this week, the Mayor of London has confirmed.

 

Sadiq Khan said he and Transport for London (TfL) are doing “the best we can with the limited facilities given by the Government” to keep workers safe.

 

Ninety per cent of bus services are still running in the capital, while the Tube is operating a reduced service, with fewer trains and the Waterloo and City and Circle lines now closed.

 

By the end of March, a third of TfL staff were off sick or self-isolating because of coronavirus, the Mayor has said.

 

A trial of middle-door only boarding on London’s buses was be launched this week in an effort to protect drivers and other bus staff.

  • On Wednesday (April 8) the latest available local figures for hospital patients who have died with postive results for Covid-19 were released. For St George's Hospital it was 133 and for the Epsom and St Helier Trust it was 122.


April 10, 2020