Girl, 8, killed in bus tragedy

Jun 6 2012 by Chris Clements, Paisley Daily Express

TRIBUTES last night poured in for tragic schoolgirl Amber Cameron after she died in a horror accident while out playing on her bicycle.

Eight-year-old Amber had been enjoying a day off school, with lessons cancelled due to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, when she was struck by a bus.

It’s understood she was playing with a cousin just streets away from her home in Hillview Road, Elderslie, where she lived with her mum Michelle and dad Duncan, and collided with a number 20 McGill’s bus which was heading towards Johnstone town centre.

Paramedics were at the scene – in Barclay Avenue, Elderslie – a short time after the alarm was raised at around 11am but it was already too late to help Amber.

Grief-stricken Michelle, who is heavily pregnant, had to be rushed to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital after the accident.

It’s understood that, once there, she had to be sedated.

Councillor John Caldwell, right, Deputy Provost of Renfrewshire, who is distantly related to Amber, said the family are “devastated” by what has happened.

He told the Paisley Daily Express: “For something like this to happen is terrible. Amber’s mother is in hospital now because of the shock and her gran Marie is heartbroken.

“The kids have had a few days off school and you want them to be happy but then something like this happens.”

Neighbours have said that Amber, who was a pupil at Wallace Primary in Elderslie, was a popular little girl.

And they have offered their support to the Cameron family.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “The whole community here is in shock about what has happened.

“It’s absolutely tragic. Amber had been in the same class as my son all the way through school. I tried to tell him what has happened to her but I don’t think he has really taken it in.

“This sort of thing could happen to anyone’s child. It’s just awful.

“We spoke to Amber’s auntie today and she was totally devastated.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson added: “This is a tragic loss and the thoughts of the whole school community are with Amber’s family.”

Police taped off Barclay Avenue as they launched an investigation into the horror accident.

And, last night, they appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A spokeswoman confirmed: “An eight-year-old girl has died following a road crash in Barclay Avenue, Elderslie, at around 10.55am.

“She was on a pushbike when she was struck by a bus travelling south. Emergency services were contacted but, unfortunately, the young girl died at the scene.

“Relatives are aware and a report is to be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and anyone who has information or who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Sergeant Jane Taylor, at the Divisional Roads Policing Office, on 01475 492537.”

A spokeswoman for McGill’s said the company was unable to comment while the police investigation was ongoing.

However, she added that their thoughts are with Amber’s family.