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Orpington crash: Family pay tribute to Gravesend bus driver

The family of a bus driver killed in a multi-vehicle crash have been left "broken" by his death.

Kenneth Matcham, known as Ken, died after his Go-Ahead bus collided with a second bus and a car in Sevenoaks Road, Orpington, last Thursday.

Kenneth 'Ken' Matcham, from Gravesend, died following a crash in Orpington
Kenneth 'Ken' Matcham, from Gravesend, died following a crash in Orpington

The Gravesend resident was pronounced dead at the scene and 15 others were injured, three seriously.

The 60-year-old's family want justice for him following his death.

"Ken's death has left us broken," said Tracy Jane.

"He didn't just die, he was killed needlessly while just trying to do his job. There are no words to describe how his children and I feel.

"There must be someone that saw exactly what happened, if you did please please come forward and tell the police, surely Ken deserves justice, and we just want to know what happened.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash in Orpington. Video: UKNIP

"It won't bring him back we know but at least we will know the truth so please tell the police if you know anything at all."

Police were joined by scores of paramedics from the London Ambulance Service as well as 60 firefighters at the crash which happened at around 10.10pm.

The driver of the car involved, a 20-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drug driving.

"Kenneth was a loyal and hard-working man..." - John Trayner

He was taken to a London hospital as a precaution before being transferred to a police station where he was subsequently released under investigation.

Managing director at Go-Ahead London, John Trayner, said: “Kenneth was a loyal and hard-working member of the Orpington garage team, a character who will be sorely missed by his family and fondly remembered by his colleagues and passengers.

"Our sympathies and condolences go out to Kenneth’s family and all the passengers travelling on the two affected buses, also Kevin Crockford, the other bus driver involved.

"We would also like to express our gratitude to the emergency services and members of the public, who bravely assisted in the immediate aftermath of this tragic event.”

A fundraising page has been set up in memory of Mr Matcham by one of his co-workers at Go-Ahead.

One person has been killed and 15 injured in a crash between two buses and a car in Orpington. Picture: UKNIP
One person has been killed and 15 injured in a crash between two buses and a car in Orpington. Picture: UKNIP

It has raised three times its target of £5,000 and is currently sitting at more than £16,000.

On Monday, staff at Arriva's Northfleet garage joined buses around the country in conducting a minute's silence at 11am to "reflect on the tragic accident".

Arriva spokesman Tom Green said: "Everyone at Arriva was extremely saddened by the news of Kenneth Matcham's passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at what is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult time."

Six fire engines, two fire rescue units and around 60 firefighters attended the crash alongside 10 ambulances, the air ambulance road team, two incident response officers and the ambulance's hazardous area response team.

Assistant Commissioner of London Fire Brigade, Graham Ellis, said: “Firefighters rescued several casualties from the buses and immediately undertook first aid, being joined by colleagues from London Ambulance Service.

One person has been killed and 15 injured in a crash between two buses and a car in Orpington. Picture: UKNIP
One person has been killed and 15 injured in a crash between two buses and a car in Orpington. Picture: UKNIP

"Firefighters also made the vehicles and surrounding area safe."

Officers from the Met’s serious collision investigation unit are investigating and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash cam, mobile phone or CCTV footage of the collision to urgently get in touch.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room number on 020 8285 1574 or police on 101 quoting CAD 9509/31OCT.

Read more: All the lates news from Gravesend

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