A BUS driver hit and killed a woman crossing the road after looking down for three seconds to read a piece of paper.
Simon Mumford, 54, failed to see Amalia Elmasry as he drove his double-decker bus around Plymouth just after 6.20pm on January 7.
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Simon Mumford looks down to read a scrap of paper Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police
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He did not see Amalia Elmasry crossing the road Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police
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Mumford was jailed for two years for Amalia’s deathCredit: Devon and Cornwall Police
The video shows his bus heading towards the pedestrian crossing where the traffic light was red.
He had a piece of paper in his hand and was seen on CCTV lowering his glasses, looking down and reading it for four seconds.
As his head was bowed, the lights changed from red to amber and Amallia started to cross.
The front of Mumford’s bus hit her and she suffered “catastrophic” injuries.
Mumford immediately stopped the bus, but Amallia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mumford, a Plymouth man, was jailed for two years for Amalia’s death.
He was sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Mumford was also disqualified from driving for six years and must pass an extended re-test before he can get his license back.
Police Sergeant Samantha Pullen said: “This tragic case shows once again that even relatively short periods of distraction on the road can have fatal consequences.
“There is no doubt that Simon Mumford had no intention of taking his own life that day.
“But when he took his eyes off the road to read a piece of paper, he didn’t notice Amalia Elmasry crossing.
“This led to the collision which resulted in her tragic death. We would like to express our sincere condolences to Ms Elmasry’s family.
“We remind drivers that regardless of the vehicle they are driving, they must keep their eyes on the road at all times to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.”
Mumford drove his double-decker city bus around Plymouth, stopping at several stops.
His last stop was at Plymouth railway station before reaching the pedestrian crossing where Amallia was killed.
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