Holidaymaker Killed In Canada

An elderly holidaymaker from the New Forest has died after she was hit by a runaway bus in Canada.

Jean Shepperdley was walking along a street in Port Carling, Ontario, when she was hit by the bus on September 28.

She was airlifted to hospital in Toronto suffering from serious injuries where she died on October 5, said Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Constable Peter Leon said:

''A chartered school bus was picking up passengers at the Port Carling Locks.

''While the driver was boarding, the bus was somehow set in motion. The driver was unable to fully board the bus as it rolled backwards toward the Indian River.

''The bus driver was dragged for a short distance before the bus came to a stop against a stone wall. A passenger took to the driver's seat and secured the runaway bus.

''A female pedestrian was struck by the bus and sustained serious injuries, she was airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital.

''On October 5, 74-year-old Jean Shepperdley succumbed to her injuries. OPP are investigating the cause of the incident.''

Mrs Shepperdley, a retired district nurse from New Milton, had flown out to Canada with her husband Bob to attend a surprise 70th birthday party for her brother-in-law, according to a report in the Lymington Times newspaper.

Former colleague Joyce Willett, 73, told the local newspaper:

''I will miss her dreadfully.

''It's such a terrible shock. We saw each other every week and I was looking forward to her coming home. Jean's death is a huge loss.''