Bus Crash Victim 'Made Life Full Of Laughter'

The family of the seven-year-old boy killed when a double-decker crashed into a supermarket have described him as "adorable" who "made life full of laughter".

Rowan Fitzgerald, of Leamington Spa, was on the top deck of the Stagecoach vehicle when it ploughed into a Sainsbury's store in Trinity Street in the centre of Coventry on Saturday 3 October.

Pedestrian Dora Hancox, a former foster carer in her 70s from Nuneaton, was also killed as she walked along the road.

Five people injured in the crash were taken to hospital, including Rowan's eight-year-old cousin, who had been with him on the bus along with their grandparents.

In a statement issued through the police, his family said: "Rowan was an adorable caring person who gave so much love to anyone he met - he was a handsome little boy, whose cheeky smile lit up any room.

"He made life full of laughter with never a dull moment and always kept us going with his cheeky little ways.

"He loved his sports, especially football. He was returning from the Ricoh Arena when this tragedy happened.

"We love and miss him so much and as a family would appreciate any information that can be given to the police investigation to help us understand why our little boy was taken from us."

The driver of the bus, 77-year-old Kailash Chander, who is a grandfather and former town mayor, is said to be "devastated to the core by what has happened".

Stagecoach Midlands said Mr Chander "has many years' experience and has passed a mandatory annual medical".

Officers from West Midlands Police are continuing to investigate the crash and have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who saw what happened is asked to call 101 quoting 1017 4/10/15.