A family whose 92-year-old mother died after being hit by a bus is calling on council bosses to introduce better safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
Jennifer Darrah was struck by the bus in St Stephens Street in Norwich while on her way to meet a friend for a coffee in Marks and Spencer.
The mother of six, who lived in Bramerton, near Poringland, died two days later at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. She was visited by all her children before her death.
Speaking after the inquest her daughter, Ruth Darrah, said safety improvements needed to be made.
“We want to try and make sure something like this never happens again,” she added.
“This is why we put in a request to the coroner to ask if they would write to the relevant council to see if further safety measures could be implemented.”
The court heard that Mrs Darrah – affectionately known as Jenny – led an independent life and frequently caught the bus from her home into the city several times a week.
On Saturday, January 14, witnesses recalled seeing her walking across St Stephen's Street at its junction with Surrey Street at around 11.10am.
Unfortunately, at the same time, a double decker bus turned into the road and its front right-hand side collided with her.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called.
She was rushed to the N&N for treatment but had suffered life-threatening injuries.
She died at hospital on the evening of Monday, January 16.
Area coroner, Yvonne Blake, led the inquest and said she would make contact with both Norfolk County Council, which deals with highways matters, and also Norwich City Council.
She added: “I’ve taken note of your request, asking for some kind of fence or barrier on the corner of Surrey Street and St Stephen’s Street.”
She confirmed that she believed the footage of the accident - which was not shown in court - had highlighted a need for more safety measures there.
Ms Blake recorded a conclusion that Mrs Darrah died as a result of a road traffic collision.
Earlier this year, Mrs Darrah’s family paid tribute to her and offered their sympathy to the driver involved, as they came to terms with their loss.
In a statement to this newspaper, they said: “We would like to say that we feel terrible for the bus driver.
“It must have been a really terrible thing to happen to him.
“Jenny was very active, particularly at Kings Church in Norwich.
“She was on her way to meet a friend in Marks and Spencer for coffee.
“Although she was 92, she led an independent life and still caught the bus into the city several times a week from our home in Bramerton.
“We are very grateful for those who stepped forward with their coats and stayed with her until the ambulance service arrived.”
The court heard that Jennifer Mary Darrah was born on November 29, 1930, in the city of Plymouth in Devon.
She had been a housewife and was the widow of the Revd Reginald Geoffrey Darrah, following his death in 2013.
During her 40s, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, but she was treated and made a full recovery.
She also had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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