Mother of bus driver who died after contracting coronavirus calls for Sadiq Khan to meet 'real faces of the tragedy'

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Imogen Braddick8 April 2020

The mother of a 36-year-old London bus driver who died after contracting coronavirus has called for Sadiq Khan to see "the real face of the tragedy" by meeting victims' families.

Emeka Nyack ​Ihenacho, who drove the number four bus from Blackfriars to Archway, died at the end of March after fighting Covid-19 for two weeks.

Fourteen people who worked for public transport in London have died, Mayor of London Mr Khan confirmed on Wednesday, and nine of those were bus drivers.

Mr Khan said he is addressing "all the things that drivers are concerned about", but said Government advice stipulates that protective equipment should only be used in "care settings".

Mr Ihenacho died after contracting coronavirus
Jessica Nyack Ihenacho

But Mr Ihenacho's mother, Anne Nyack, has called for Mr Khan to "get out there" and see what condition bus drivers are working in.

Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain after Mr Khan, she said: "He needs to get out there and look at the buses and see what condition the drivers are operating in.

"They are at risk. My son was at risk. Sadly he died."

Mrs Nyack, 62, claimed her son had no mask or gloves, and he was asthmatic and "left open to the elements".

She said: "I don't know how Sadiq Khan can turn around and say the buses are being cleaned, because they are not."

Mr Khan said on Wednesday the measures on London buses "are the most enhanced measures of any buses across the country" and transport staff "are the heroes of our city".

"We're using anti-viral disinfectant, the sort of stuff they use in hospitals to make sure everything is clean including the touch points, steering wheels, handles, garages, rest rooms," he told BBC Breakfast.

"We've also made sure there is a perspex barrier between the driver and the passengers with a protective film to avoid particles or droplets coming from people's mouth on the driver.

"We've also made sure no passenger can sit near a driver."

Sadiq Khan said Government advice states protective equipment should only be used in "care settings" 
Getty Images

TfL is also piloting a scheme which will see passengers using the back door to board.

But Mrs Nyack has called for Mr Khan to meet the families of the bus drivers who have died as a result of the virus.

She added: "I certainly haven't had a conversation with him. I want him to see the real face of the tragedy - which is me, and all the other bus drivers who have lost their lives.

"He should meet the families."

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Describing her son, she said: "He was my son, I loved him dearly, his family loved him, his gran is in pieces.

"He was a lovely man, heart of gold, would help anybody - not just me, his family, but his friends.

"[He was] full of laughter, he was a joker, always had a nickname for every one of us and I'm going to miss him.

"I miss him every waking moment. I get up every morning and have a cry for him.

"Why couldn't I be here to stop him from going to work?"

She added: "That will be my fight for my son's legacy - all bus drivers in London and the country and the world get protection.

"That will be my fight for my son."

A Transport for London bus driver wearing a face mask
AFP via Getty Images

In a statement to the Evening Standard, Mr Khan said: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear Emeka Nyack Ihenacho has lost his life after testing positive for coronavirus.

"My thoughts are with his loved ones at this awful time.

"As Mayor, I am writing to all families of transport workers who have lost their lives, and have contacted Mr Ihenacho’s family to offer my support and deepest condolences.

"Transport staff are heroes of our city, doing vital work to keep London’s transport links open so nurses, doctors and other frontline workers can get to where they are needed most.

“My top priority is keeping Londoners safe and City Hall and TfL are working with unions to do everything we can to protect bus workers and passengers, in line with PHE advice."

He added: "All drivers are shielded by a clear screen and as of last night a film has been added to this on the vast majority of routes to provide an extra layer of protection.

"We will also be trialling middle door only boarding on several routes by the end of this week following discussions with Unite the Union.

"TfL have also enhanced cleaning, are stopping passengers from sitting near drivers and boosting social distancing at stations and stops.

"We will continue to make enhancements across public transport in London to ensure there are even higher levels of protection for our hard-working staff.”

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Claire Mann, TfL’s Director of Bus Operations, added: “We are all extremely saddened about the recent passing of Emeka Nyack Ihenacho.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends and we have offered support.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our colleagues and customers and we continue to work closely with the bus companies, the Mayor and Unite the Union to implement changes and improvements to keep the bus network safe for those operating and using it, in accordance with Public Health England advice.

"Hard-working transport staff are on the frontline of the coronavirus effort, keeping the city moving so that nurses, doctors and other key workers can get where they need to be.

“Our clear message to Londoners is simple – the transport network is only for critical workers who need to make absolutely essential journeys.

"Please, everyone else, stay at home, don’t travel and save lives.”

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