Passenger dies after bus brakes suddenly and she hits head

Police believe van stopped abruptly in front of vehicle

Google Street View image of Borough Road in St Helens, where the woman suffered a fatal head injury (Google)

A bus passenger has died after hitting her head when the vehicle was forced to brake suddenly.

The elderly woman was on an Arriva bus in St Helens, Merseyside, when it is believed that a white van stopped abruptly in front of it.

The bus braked sharply, causing the woman to seriously injure her head.

She was taken to hospital where she later died. Her next of kin have been informed.

The van did not stop at the scene, but the driver has since been found, police said.

Anyone who saw the incident take place on Borough Road shortly after 1pm on Saturday is asked to message @MerPolCC on Twitter, call 101 or the roads policing unit on 0151 777 5747 quoting log number 438 of 22 February.