'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 Steven

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She was not mature enough if she got hit by a bus and killed. The end results speak for themselves. I don't have to argue my point. She is dead because she was not adequately supervised. She is dead because and adult did not take her hand and tell her WAIT, NOT YET. Twelve years old is a child. A GIRL. You do not allow children to cross a street alone. You just don't do it.

By kieyran107

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steven, that is just your opinion. each family is different. every single person is different. the driver may have been going too fast or she may have tripped and not been able to move in time. no one really knows what happened to cause her death. just because she was 12 yrs old and crossing the street on her own does not really matter. she could have been 24 yrs old and the same thing could have happened as well. would it be better if everyone in the world just hold hands and crosses the street together then?

By cp

While I don't agree with your opinion that twelve years old is not old enough to cross the street, I respect it because you have every right to feel that way. What I don't respect is you placing the blame of a child's death upon their parents in what is deemed an accident and insinuating that parents can prevent all harm done to children. It is incredibly insensitive and rude. No one is perfect and even if the world adopted your attitude and stayed with their children at all times (which is unrealistic) there would still be accidents and crime because people make mistakes. That's life. Criminals are going to unfortunately always find a way to get what they want. Being so callous to grieving parents isn't going to help you win many supporters.

By jean

I must be the only person agreeing with you. This is an "accident" that did not have to happen. An accident is if the bus lost it's brakes, and swerved upon a sidewalk, killing someone. This little girl, 12, apparently was NOT old enough to cross a street by herself. The article says it was evening time. Does that mean it was after dark? Even worse, if that is the case. I would much rather be an overprotective parent than a heartbroken one.

Sunday 20 March

By JD

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Steven:I was babysitting at 11 years old! I had to cross a large highway every morning to get to school. I had to walk 5 miles just one way to go to bible school every Saturday!

Steven, what world do you live in???

By Ashley

This is so incredibly sad. My heart goes out to the family, her friends, the cast and crew, and the driver who hit her I am sure is traumatized.

By Maddie

Margaret Mitchell who wrote Gone With the Wind, was killed by a bus in Atlanta, GA. She was very much an adult. Accidents happen. Heartbreaking for any child to be taken Home so early.

By Nancy

and then guiliani brought those busses here to NYC. One of them killed one of my neighbors. Stupid inventions.

By Michael A. Semper

12 and living her dream....pretty awesome. I hope the family and cast could remember her this way.

Michael A. Semper (Chicago area)

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