A trainee speech therapist was flung 10 feet and died of catastrophic head injuries when she was hit by a bus, an inquest has heard.

Julia Luxmoore Peto, 27, was crossing a road after a day's shopping when she was hit by the bus which was doing just 20mph.

Southwark Coroner's Court heard speculation the crossing was made difficult by the visibility of pedestrian traffic signals and the coroner recommended more 'look left/look right' signs should be put up.

Eyewitnesses claim she was "thrown 10ft" by a route 225 bus as she walked in Deptford last year.

But an inquest yesterday (March 27) ruled the crash took place after Miss Luxmoore Peto stepped out without looking on September 16.

She crossed a number of lanes and reached a traffic island - before stepping out at "a brisk pace".

As she crossed the 30mph road in Deptford Broadway - she was hit by a single-decker bus just before 5pm.

She was rushed to Kings College Hospital by the London Air Ambulance with serious head injuries, but died the following day.

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Bus driver Mahomed Nasir was breath and drug-tested at the scene and was not arrested for the crash.

Miss Luxmoore Peto was halfway through a two-year speech and language therapy MSC course at City University.

She had previously worked as a teaching assistant at Childeric Primary School in New Cross.

Witnesses at the time of her death said the front windscreen of the bus had shattered during the crash.

Assistant Coroner Christopher Williams said: "Unsurprisingly the place where she crossed had a reputation for being particularly hazardous.

"She was hit and suffered catastrophic head injuries.

"It appears that she was not on her phone at the time. She appeared to be looking to the left throughout.

"It appears the green signal could be lit up on the road, which could confuse pedestrians."

A passenger on the 225 bus said "she had been looking left so did not see the bus" and she was thrown 10 feet on impact.

PC Catherine Linney said: "We took a look at the general road layout. I was aware of a road safety engineering scheme going on there.

"It's a road junction and it is quite complicated. There are controlled crossings.

"There are quite a few signal heads. You have to approach it head on to see it properly.

"Split-phase crossings can be problematic. It's quite a difficult balancing act.

"The split-phasing was confusing for pedestrians although a red man is visible, it is ambiguous for pedestrians and they may get confused."

PC Donald McAlpine, a qualified vehicle examiner, said: "Looking at the CCTV, she does appear to be looking to the left and not aware of the bus approaching to the right.

"The bus appeared to be driving at 20mph. She had no idea of the bus's presence.

"She appears to be thrown forward away from the bus. She was accelerated to the same speed of the bus.

"This corroborates from the meta data which shows the bus was slowing down at the point of impact.

"The bus came to a halt after 1.5 seconds. The pedestrian signal would have been red. Green light for driver.

"It was a bit quicker than walking, at about 7mph. She was moving faster than a walking pace.

"The signal was green over the other side of the road. I believe this could have confused her.

"He had been driving that route for many years. The driver reacted promptly. The fastest driver could not react that quickly."

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Assistant coroner Mr Williams made his conclusion as one of accident.

He said: "This was nothing other than an accident, an intentional act with unintentional consequences.

"I suggest that two more louvres are added to the site of the crossings plus 'look left look right' signs."

Miss Luxmoore Peto was remembered as "hard-working" and "quietly confident" in tributes read to the court.