A Tragic Loss and the Fight for Change
In a small kitchen in southeast London, scattered documents and research notes lie on the table, each one detailing the dangers of London buses. On the walls, pictures of Ada Bicakci, a young girl known for her kindness and love of gymnastics and Taylor Swift, cover every available space. This is the home of Nevgul and Bora Bicakci, parents of nine-year-old Ada, who has become a symbol of both loss and resilience.
Ada’s life was full of promise. Just weeks before her death, she had won the “kindest gymnast award” at her club. She was a bright and cheerful child, always bringing joy to those around her. However, her life was tragically cut short on August 3 last year when she was struck by a bus while cycling with her father and younger brother in Bexleyheath. The driver, Martin Asolo-Ogugua, was high on drugs at the time and swerved into the kerb next to her. Her younger brother and father were also injured in the incident.
Since that day, the family’s lives have been irrevocably changed. Their home now feels empty, filled with the remnants of Ada’s presence—her pictures, toys, and artwork. But there is no little girl to fill the space. The grief in their home is palpable, and the pain is evident in every corner.
Nevgul, Ada’s mother, recalls how her daughter used to comfort her when she cried. Now, she can’t stop the tears from falling. She shares how her daughter’s friends have started fighting more since she passed away, as they miss her guidance and kindness. “Everyone was her best friend,” she says. “Now, they’re getting into fights because she isn’t there to tell them to make up.”
Bora, Ada’s father, reflects on the fateful day. The family had taken a route they rarely used, hoping to save time. He wishes he had chosen differently. As they cycled along, he saw the bus drifting on the other side of the road. Then, the tires hit the kerb near them, and Ada was in his lap. The chaos that followed left him with hazy memories, but he remembers a passerby named Sam who calmly took Ada from his arms and provided first aid. “I won’t forget her,” he says. “It is hard not to be angry at Ada’s death, but there were some people who showed how great humanity can be.”
At the time of the accident, Nevgul was in a hotel in Surrey with her mother, who had flown in from Turkey. Police officers arrived to deliver the devastating news that her daughter was seriously injured and likely wouldn’t survive. They promised to get her to King’s College Hospital, where Ada lay dying from a severe head injury. Nevgul recalls the emotional journey, praying they would arrive in time. She and Bora were able to spend two more days with Ada, which they consider a blessing.
Ada died two days after the crash, and her organs were donated, helping six other people. Despite the tragedy, the family found solace in the support they received. The funeral service, attended by around 250 people, blended Christian and Muslim traditions, including Taylor Swift songs that reflected Ada’s love for music. “Her favorite song ever was Cruel Summer, which was played out loud,” Nevgul explains. “It was a hard day, but it really was a lovely send-off.”
The family faced challenges during the criminal investigation into Ada’s death. While the process went smoothly, the more details emerged about the driver and his previous incidents, the more anger they felt. The driver had traces of cannabis in his system and had been warned about careless driving. Yet, he continued to drive, eventually leading to Ada’s death. In June, he was jailed for four years and disqualified from driving for seven years.
The family is now working to ensure that no other parent experiences such heartbreak. They believe that stricter measures are needed to prevent similar tragedies. Like train drivers, they are pushing for Transport for London (TfL) to test drivers before every shift and implement harsher sentences for those who break the rules. Nevgul says, “If necessary precautions had been taken, this never would have happened.” She feels the sentence was too lenient, as it should not take the death of a child to get someone off the roads.
Bora adds, “We don’t want anyone to suffer like we have. A bus knocks down one person every month. TfL need to surrender to the facts.”
TfL’s Director of Buses, Lorna Murphy, expressed condolences to the family and mentioned that the bus operator Arriva has completed an investigation into the incident. She added that TfL is reviewing the findings to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
As the family continues their fight for change, they remain united in their memory of Ada. Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched and the changes she inspired.
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