A mother and her four-year-old daughter were killed after the car they were travelling in was involved in a head on collision with a bus ferrying tennis fans back from the Wimbledon Championships.

Floral tributes have been laid at the scene of the accident in Malden Road, New Malden, in memory of 31-year-old Andrea Bugeja and her daughter Abigail.

Firefighters desperately fought to free the mother and daughter from the wreckage of their Ford Escort saloon after the accident at 5.30pm on Sunday.

Mrs Bugeja from Mayfair Avenue, Worcester Park, was killed instantly in the collision with the park-and- ride bus, which was carrying a dozen passengers back from Wimbledon after watching the men's and ladies' doubles finals.

Her daughter, who was travelling in the front seat of the car, was taken to Kingston Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

They had been travelling from Worcester Park towards the A3 when police believe the car crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with the double decker bus, which was returning to the car park at Motspur Park sports club.

Police say the bus driver tried to take evasive action to avoid the car. He was taken to Kingston Hospital suffering from shock and a back injury. None of the passengers on the bus were seriously injured.

PC Mike Crewes from Hampton traffic unit said: "For reasons we have yet to establish, the car went onto the wrong side of the road. The bus driver tried to take evasive action. He managed to lock all his brakes and skidded, but the car hit the bus."

London General, which runs the park-and-ride service, said: "None of the 12 passengers on the bus were seriously hurt, although the bus driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock and is currently away from work.

"We are greatly saddened by this incident and are co-operating fully with the police investigation into the accident."

An inquest was opened and adjourned on Monday.

Police are appealing for witnesses with any information about the accident to contact PC Philip Connelly at Hampton traffic unit on 020 8247 6935.

July 11, 2002 10:30