Dragged to death under bus

Hated ... 'bendy' London bus

A SCREAMING man aged 21 was killed by a “bendy” bus – as it dragged him under its wheels for a MILE.

Tragic Lee Beckwith got his clothes trapped in the door after he left his mobile phone on board and tried to hop back on.

The driver of the 16-tonne, 60ft articulated bus – which bends in the middle – failed to spot him and pulled away. Horrified passers-by dialled 999 after seeing Lee being dragged along the road for TEN minutes.

A gruesome trail of debris – including Lee’s boots – was scattered along the bus’s East London route.

Cops found what was left of his body in Romford – a mile from where he had got off the No25 in Ilford on his way to work as a tiler.

The unsuspecting driver aged 57 continued to Stratford Bus Station – a few miles down the road.

He clocked off still unaware of the horror.

Distraught

Boots ... bus's death trail yesterday

Cops later arrested him on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Lee’s girlfriend, who lived with him in Brentwood, was being comforted last night.

Unwieldy bendy buses – hated by other London road users – were introduced by the capital’s mayor Ken Livingstone. They have been notorious for bursting into flames – just two weeks ago a No25 on the same route as the death bus caught fire.

In March 2005, the entire fleet was temporarily withdrawn for modifications.

Tory Boris Johnson – Livingstone’s rival to be mayor – has vowed to scrap them.

Drivers faced traffic chaos yesterday as cops probing Lee’s death cordoned off bloodstained roads.

Police issued an appeal for witnesses. One said: “We are keen to speak to any passengers on the bus and anyone who was in the area.”