Child dies after being hit by bus outside Margate hospital

A four-year-old boy named Zaahir Jan died after leaving the hospital and being struck by a bus outside the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

Child dies after being hit by bus outside Margate hospital

Police were called to the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate after a crash outside the A&E entrance at about 16:00 BST on Thursday. A four-year-old boy left the hospital on foot and was struck by a white single decker bus. He was taken back into the hospital but died a short time later. His next of kin has been informed. Eyewitness Gillian Murphy described a busy scene and said the bus driver appeared focused before the incident. Kent Police are asking for CCTV or dashcam footage to help with the investigation.

Stagecoach, the bus operator, said it is cooperating with police. Tracey Fletcher, chief executive of East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, expressed sadness and offered condolences to Zaahir’s family. The incident occurred near the entrance to the emergency department, highlighting concerns about safety around hospital exits in busy areas. Investigators will review evidence to determine what happened and whether safety changes are needed.

The crash highlights the tension between care and safety in and around hospital exits. Public spaces near hospitals can be busy and pose risks when pedestrians and traffic mix. Authorities may consider changes such as clearer signage, barriers, or revised traffic management around emergency entrances. The case will test how transparently the hospital and transport operator communicate with the public as investigations unfold. If safety gaps are confirmed, it could influence policy beyond Margate and push for broader pedestrian safety reviews near hospital perimeters.

Highlights

Safety should be built into the design of every hospital exit