'Billy Elliot' Dancer, 12, Killed in U.K. Bus Accident

By The Editors at AOL News Posted Mar 19th 2011 12:49PM

The 'Billy Elliot' cast member killed on Thursday evening by a double-decker bus in London was a young girl simply "living her dream as a dancer," her family said.

Charlotte Leatherbarrow, 12, was crossing a road near her home when she was struck down. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The schoolgirl reportedly played the role of a young ballerina in the long-running West End stage production, which features an award-winning score composed by Sir Elton John.

The grieving family said, "Charlotte was a fun-loving, thoughtful, caring and bubbly girl. She loved life and lived it to the full. Each and every one of us will miss her enormously."

A spokesman for the production said, "The cast, crew and production team of 'Billy Elliot the Musical' were devastated to hear the tragic news about 12-year-old Charlotte Leatherbarrow, one of the show's young performers. At this terribly sad time, our thoughts are with her family."

Charlotte was hit by the bus while crossing Herne Hill Road in southeast London on Thursday evening. The bus driver, treated at the scene, escaped without serious injury. The accident is being investigated by police.

Alan Bradshaw, the children's dance captain for the company, who worked closely with Charlotte during her stint on 'Billy Elliot,' paid tribute to her on behalf of fellow cast and crew members.

"Charlotte was the most adorable girl," he said. "She was lively and energetic, had a wonderful smile and was an absolute pleasure to work with."

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Tags: billy elliot, elton john

Comments

(29)

Saturday 19 March

By ml

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

The loss of a child is unspeakable, unthinkable and, perhaps, the worst loss a human being could ever experience. My most fervent prayers for those who grieve her loss.

By Chrissie

Here now, it's time for your meds.

By Meg

There, there, Stu; take these pretty pink pills; you'll feel much better soon.

By joan

Stu, spoken like a true homophobic. A child is sadly dead and you have to write something so disgusting.
Condolences to her family. She was too young to die, especially so horribly.
May she rest in peace.

Sunday 20 March

By Adam

Well said. My thoughts and prayers go to her, her family, and all those affected by this tragedy.

By Steven

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Can someone tell me why a child is crossing the street alone?

By Kate

It is a terrible sad tragedy, but Steven, it says she was 12 yrs old. Surely not too yuong to cross a road.

By Me

12 years old is old enough to cross a street alone.

There, there, Stu; take these; you'll feel much better soon.

By Monique

All prays goes out to the family,What a tragic lost.

By Jimena

I feel so much for her mother and little brother who both witnessed this tragic accident... Poor girl and poor family... So sad!

By doneldathomas

To the family of the girl...so sorry for your lost..may she rest in peace...

By Tricia

Couldn't PopEater at least do her the honor of posting her picture instead of a playbill. Rude.

By Jeb Ladouceur

Even at age twelve, the child has attained something only one in a thousand or more aspiring performers ever achieves.

Well, obviously not. She is dead. You can vote this down all you like, but you people need to be there with your children and stuff like this and abduction and rape would not happen to these children. You just think 12 is old enough. It is not.

People of all ages, male or female get abducted,raped or murdered.

By Tiano

Steven, what if a 25 year old, or 50 year is hit by a bus and killed; would you think they too was too young to cross the street alone?

By renee

ur an idiot

By Shell

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

At 12 I was babysitting and doing other odd jobs , ... My mother even sent us to the store for things and this was not all that long ago..
12 is only not old enough if the parents do not teach their children how to do things and coddle them ,then they are not prepered for things,This could of happened to anyone of any age I do not believe it was the parents fault ..

By mntnlake03

steven alot of that depends on the maturity level of the child..while i agree to some point on your post i also think that this young girl was somewhat above most normal 12 year olds in maturity level..growing up in a large city such as london..im sure she had alot of experience getting around town..using the express...the bus or just plain walking...now i wouldnt trust a 12 year old crossing a busy street if they were from a small town...tragedy that she is gone..but it was probably a freak accident....being in the wrong place at the wrong time..

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