Elderly couple who live in Notting Hill bus crash flat saved by trip to the pub

A single-decker bus smashed into the front of the flat in Notting Hill last week

Residents of a Notting Hill flat destroyed by a bus have revealed they had a “lucky” miss – as they were at the pub. A single-decker electric bus ploughed into the front of 73 St Quintin Avenue on Thursday (July 2) evening.

Fresh images reveal rubble and even a window scattered across the pavement outside the Edwardian property, which had been converted into three flats. One resident of 18 years, who requested anonymity, was at a local pub at the precise moment the bus careered into the living room of her basement flat.

The 75-year-old, who lives with her 82-year-old husband, said: “I can’t believe how lucky we were. We were at The Pavilion, round the corner, having dinner. My younger sister phoned me – she said ‘where are you, I’ve been trying to ring you but the phone’s dead’. Then my neighbour rang and said ‘where are you?’ She said ‘something’s happened, I’m coming round, you’ve got to come back straight away’.”

She added: “When we walked round the corner I couldn’t believe seeing the bus where it was. My husband sits in an armchair more or less in the window – there’s all rubble all over the settee where I normally sit. I think if we’d have been at home, God forbid, he’d have copped the lot.”

The couple have been prevented from returning to their property following the collision, and have instead been accommodated in a hotel more than a mile away – making it considerably more challenging for the retiree to attend her hospital appointments following a cancer diagnosis. Now, they face the prospect of potentially two further moves.

She added: “I’m trying not to think about it, because I’ll end up getting upset again. I’m just waiting for the housing trust – they’ve said they’re going to try and find us some temporary accommodation. I’ve told them if they can find us a flat that’s more or less the same size as the one we’ve just lost, then we’ll just do one move. Two moves might be a bit too much for us at our age.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “On Thursday, 2 July at 19:02hrs police were called to reports of a collision between a bus and a residential building on St Quintin Avenue, Notting Hill. Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.”

The statement added: “No injuries were reported, no arrests have been made, and no criminal offences have been identified. Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 7570/2July.”

A Transport for London spokesperson said: “A route 70 bus was involved in a collision [July 2]. There was a minor injury that thankfully did not require treatment. The safety of our customers, colleagues and members of the public is of paramount importance, and we are working closely with the bus operator, First Bus, who are investigating this incident.”

Peabody, the housing association managing the properties, has been approached for comment by SWNS. First Bus was also contacted for comment.

Stay informed about the latest West London news. Sign up for our MyWestLondon newsletter HERE to receive daily updates and more.