Factory Worker Sustained Fatal Injuries In Crash

The widower of a Bedford woman killed by a bus driver has spoken of his heartbreak at losing his “best friend and soul mate.”

Shama Kalyan, aged 54 at the time, was on her way home from work when she was knocked down by a bus on a light controlled pedestrian crossing at Ampthill Road in Bedford in December 2017. 

Following the mum-of-three’s death, her husband Mohan, who lives with his family in Bedford, instructed expert road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate and provide the family with the specialist support they require to overcome their ordeal.

At a hearing earlier this year, the driver of the bus, Mr Paul Udris, employed by Cambus Limited, changed his plea to guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.  This week at Luton Crown Court, he was sentenced to a 15-month jail term with half to be served in custody and the other half on licence.  He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years, with an extended retest.

Expert Opinion

“It’s been almost three years since Shama died, and her family remain devastated after losing her so suddenly and tragically.

Mohan, in particular, is still struggling to come to terms with what happened.

Sadly, through our work we come across many families devastated by road accidents which are often avoidable.

While nothing can change what Mohan and his family have been through, they are relieved that the prosecution is now at a close. We also hope that the sentence acts as a warning to others of the consequences of dangerous driving.”
Neil Whiteley - Managing Partner, Technical Client Services

Shama worked as a finisher at a factory within walking distance from her home.  She was walking home from a shift on 18 December 2017 when she was knocked down by a bus on a pedestrian crossing.  She sustained catastrophic injuries and died in hospital a month later, having never regained consciousness.

At the time of her death, Shama and Mohan had been married for 35 years.  They had three children – Ajay, 35, Anu, 31, and Harish, 29. 

Mohan, who at the time of the collision managed the family businesses of cleaning and taxi services, said: “My whole life was shattered when I lost Shama, and nothing has been the same since then.

“Three years on, I still struggle with thoughts of what happened that day and I feel so empty when I think about Shama not being here anymore; she was my whole life.  I’m so lucky to have my children as they are the reason I keep going. However they have also suffered badly.

“As we live so close to where Shama was hit, we are regularly reminded of how she was tragically taken from us, and I can’t put into words how much we miss her every single day.  I haven’t just lost my wife, I have lost my best friend and soul mate, and our children are without their loving mum who would support and care for them through everything. She was the centre of our family life, and an important part of our community in Bedford, helping out at the Temple and doing a lot of voluntary and charity work. She will be missed by many people.”

Following the sentencing hearing, Mohan added: “While I am grateful that the prosecution is over and the person responsible has been sentenced, it doesn’t bring Shama back, and it hurts to know that to take a life results in a sentence of only 15 months in prison.

“The past three years have been incredibly hard with the uncertainty of the prosecution hanging over us. I am so grateful for everything that the police have done to investigate the case, but it has been hard to wait so long for an outcome and the last few months have just made things worse.

“All I can do now is continue to be there for our children and hope that our experience will be a stark warning to others to stay safe on the roads.  I wouldn’t wish any other family to go through the pain we have.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling serious injury and road accident cases