A promising young singer's life was tragically cut short in a devastating collision with a stationary double-decker bus, mere days before a pivotal meeting that was poised to launch her music career. Soriah Barry, aged 27, lost her life following the crash on Lea Bridge Road in east London on February 8, 2025, shortly before 7am.
Fatal Morning on Lea Bridge Road
The aspiring R&B artist had just dropped off a friend and was driving along the road when her car careered into the parked 308 bus. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang upon impact, with the force violently throwing bus driver Elizabeth Kalegga from the cab to the floor. Despite receiving immediate treatment at the scene, Ms Barry's family revealed it took two agonising hours before she arrived at the hospital, a delay that has sparked significant concern.
Online Cruelty Amidst Tragedy
In a distressing twist, the family disclosed that cruel trolls posted footage of Ms Barry receiving CPR on social media platforms. Her mother, Saphiatu, expressed outrage, stating that her 13-year-old daughter had seen the online videos. 'Trolls also said everything was Soriah's fault,' she told Metro. 'These people who post online should be ashamed and the likes of TikTok should not allow it to be uploaded. They have made our difficult lives without Soriah even harder.'
Investigation into the Crash
An inquest heard that Ms Barry, described by friends as a careful driver, was not over the drink-drive limit, leaving the exact cause of the crash unclear. The coroner, Adam Smith, noted that for three critical seconds, she made no attempt to take evasive action. Her family believes she may have been distracted, causing her car to veer into the opposite lane, and then accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake while trying to avoid the collision. Data showed her vehicle accelerated from 23mph to 35mph in the moments before impact.
Medical and Legal Conclusions
The cause of death was determined to be internal bleeding and severe liver damage. The coroner concluded that Ms Barry was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, a factor that likely exacerbated her injuries. While some passersby filmed the incident, others rushed to help, with one witness recalling asking if she was alright and receiving the response: 'No, I'm not.'
Posthumous Tribute from Apple Music
The fatal accident occurred just days before Ms Barry was scheduled to meet with Apple Music to discuss a deal to release her music. In a heartfelt tribute, Apple Music has announced that her songs will be released posthumously, honouring the talented singer's legacy. Her family released a statement praising her as 'a loyal person always there for everyone in life' and 'an inspiring person who would have a massive impression on you.' Her aunt Jamilah Barry described her as 'fierce, loyal, and wow - so full of life.'
Family's Ongoing Grief and Calls for Change
Ms Barry's mother has raised serious concerns about the delay in hospital transport and the irresponsible behaviour of social media users. She recounted arriving at the hospital before her daughter, only to be told by a surgeon that nothing more could be done. The family's tragedy underscores broader issues of road safety, emergency response times, and the ethical responsibilities of online platforms in moderating sensitive content.
