Devastated Parents Speak Out After 9-Year-Old Girl Tragically Dies During Family Walk

Loved ones have rallied together for a special tribute honoring the life of a little girl whose life came to a tragic end while she was with her family.

A tragic incident that occurred on August 3, 2024, resulting in the death of 9-year-old Ada Zeynep Bicakci, has resurfaced as her devastated parents, Nevgül and Bora Bicakci, recently spoke out about the tragedy. Little Ada met her demise in Watling Street, Bexleyheath, at the hands of a 23-year-old intoxicated bus driver named Martin Asolo-Agogua.

The devastating crash that claimed Ada's life unfolded just after 9 a.m. She had been riding her bike with infectious energy, heading to her beloved gymnastics class, trailed by her five-year-old brother on a scooter and their father, Bora, who followed close behind on a bicycle.

That peaceful family outing was shattered by Martin's double-decker vehicle, which, according to Prosecutor Charlotte Hole, was out of control from the bus garage to the beginning of its route.

Footage captured from inside the bus showed him visibly exhausted — yawning, nodding off, and struggling to keep his eyes open — before the vehicle swerved onto the pavement, mowing into Ada and her brother.

Onlookers described the crash as erratic. One motorist reportedly blurted out, "What is he doing?" after witnessing the bus swerve onto the opposite side of the road, while another driver behind him noted his alarming behavior.

Texts later revealed that the driver, who had smoked cannabis and told a friend, "I've got work at 8 so I ain't sleeping," was clearly unfit to be behind the wheel. The impact left Ada critically injured, while her brother was traumatized but survived.

She and her brother were rushed to the hospital, where Ada fought for her life for two days before succumbing to her injuries. Ada's father, who witnessed the entire incident, described the haunting moment in painstaking detail.

"The sound of the tyres hitting the curb. Looking back and seeing Ada's body bouncing between the bus and the wall," he recalled. "Holding her in my lap. Her broken lungs struggling for every breath. Her eyes fading. Her brother behind me, shocked by fear. The bus drifting away. People stopping by to help. Sam stepping in. Hope and then sadness [sic]."

"The images of that horrific moment remain seared into my mind. That scene replays endlessly, a constant reminder of the day my world fractured beyond repair. This tragedy happened on my watch, a father's ultimate failure. My world has been turned upside down, and with it, the foundations of my family have crumbled," Bora asserted.

These words, spoken from a place of immeasurable grief, have become an emblem of a family's devastation — and resolve.

The court heard that Martin had been on the job for only a short time, having obtained his driver's license in January 2023 and joining Arriva the following year. In that brief span, he had amassed multiple complaints from passengers and fellow drivers alike, ranging from erratic maneuvering to damaging stationary vehicles and bus stops.

One earlier incident even led to his temporary suspension after an abrupt stop caused a child passenger to fall on the floor. Despite the red flags, he was reinstated soon after, a decision the Bicakcis believe reflects a broader systemic failure.

Martin was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on June 9, 2025, to four years in prison and a seven-year driving ban after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

The Bicakcis were left hollow. They described the punishment as "unduly lenient" and confirmed that police are currently appealing the sentence.

Also commenting on Martin's sentencing, the detective who led the investigation, Detective Sergeant Sam Miles, opined, "Asolo-Ogugua will have to spend the rest of his life regretting the night he chose to stay awake before getting behind the wheel of a bus with cannabis in his system. It's a night that has cost him his freedom and snatched away the life of an innocent little girl."

Speaking on behalf of the family, Bora declared that while the criminal case is behind them, their mission has only just begun. "We seek not just justice for our daughter but a safer future for everyone," he said, calling for widespread reform in road safety and driver accountability.

Nevgül, Ada's mother, spoke with poignant love about her daughter's generosity and spirit. Just weeks before her death, Ada had donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, explaining, "everyone should have hair."

Reflecting on her loss, Nevgül expressed, "I lost my angel. My Smile. Flutter of my heart. My closest friend. The most beautiful days of my life are the mother and daughter [sic] days I spent with Ada."

In the wake of the tragedy, Ada's family made the brave decision to donate her organs — ultimately helping save six other children — an act they call "a testament to her giving spirit."

They were later honored with the Order of St John's Award for the donation. Despite their grief, the Bicakcis are determined to transform their pain into purpose. "This senseless act, rooted in driver negligence and systemic failures, ignited our unyielding fight to ensure a safer future for all," they stated.

The family is preparing to launch a campaign to advocate for stricter transportation oversight, better safety protocols, and deeper accountability within government and transit authorities.

"Our voice resonates with other victims as well as other bus drivers who want to avoid similar future pain," they added, stressing the urgency of institutional change.

With support from organizations such as Brake, Roadpeace, and the Sarah Hope Line, the family continues to channel their heartbreak into advocacy, choosing to let Ada's memory live on — not just in sorrow, but in action.

"My darling Ada. Our thanks are not enough to show our gratitude for [sic] you. We will honour [sic] your name with acts of magnitude. You will never be forgotten," noted Bora. Both he and Nevgül have also expressed heartfelt thanks to the outpouring of support from the public, their community, journalists, news outlets, and authorities.

Additionally, the family has mentioned their plan to host an event at the accident site, marking one year since the fatal incident. In the meantime, they have started an Instagram page to honor Ada's life, where they invite the media and everyone to amplify their plea and plans.

​​In a deeply touching gesture that speaks to the breadth of Ada's impact and the enduring love of her family, her mother Nevgül recently shared a powerful tribute on Facebook.

Accompanied by a heartfelt montage of photographs and video footage, the post revealed a remarkable act of remembrance: The planting of two thousand trees in Ada's honor by her extended family in Turkey. The montage captures tender moments as relatives, young and old, gather to lay roots into the earth — an act of healing and unity amid unimaginable sorrow.

"Our gratitude to them is boundless. What a beautiful family we are. We're so lucky to have each other. Hand-in-hand, towards a better world. We love you all so much," Nevgül wrote. The newly planted forest now stands not only as a living memorial to a vibrant little girl whose life was unjustly cut short but also as a symbol of resilience, togetherness, and hope.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Nevgül, Bora, Ada's brother, her entire family, loved ones, friends, community, and everyone who knew and loved her, as they mourn such a significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Ada.