Aspiring singer killed in crash with double-decker bus days before deal to launch her music career

The sudden loss of a young life often carries with it a profound sense of unfinished promise. For 27-year-old Soriah Barry, that sense of loss feels especially heavy. An aspiring singer on the brink of a breakthrough, her life was tragically cut short in a devastating road accident in east London—just days before a meeting that could have changed the course of her music career.

In the early hours of February 8, 2025, shortly before 7 a.m., Soriah had just completed a simple, everyday act of kindness—dropping off a friend. As she drove along Lea Bridge Road, her car suddenly veered and crashed into a stationary double-decker bus. The impact was severe. Witnesses described hearing a loud, shocking bang that shattered the quiet of the morning. The force of the collision was so intense that the bus driver, Elizabeth Kalegga, was thrown from her seat onto the floor of the cab.

In the immediate aftermath, chaos and urgency filled the scene. While some bystanders instinctively reached for their phones, others rushed forward to help. One witness later recounted approaching Soriah’s car and asking if she was okay. Her response—“No, I’m not”—would tragically be among her final words.

Emergency responders arrived and began treating her at the scene. Despite their efforts, there were troubling delays. According to her family, nearly two hours passed before she was transported to the hospital. That delay would later become a source of deep anguish and unanswered questions for her loved ones.

At the hospital, the devastating reality set in. Soriah had suffered severe internal injuries, including significant damage to her liver, and ultimately succumbed to internal bleeding. A coroner would later confirm that she had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash—an important factor that may have contributed to the severity of her injuries.

The circumstances leading up to the accident remain unclear. An inquest revealed that Soriah was not under the influence of alcohol, and those who knew her described her as a careful and responsible driver. However, evidence suggested that in the final moments before the crash, her car accelerated from 23 mph to 35 mph. Investigators believe she may have become briefly distracted, causing her vehicle to drift into the opposite lane. In a split-second attempt to correct the situation, it is thought she may have mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.

Coroner Adam Smith noted that for approximately three seconds before impact, there was no visible attempt to take evasive action. What caused that momentary lapse remains unknown—a haunting detail that underscores how quickly tragedy can strike.

Beyond the physical loss, the family has also had to endure emotional pain compounded by the actions of others. In a distressing turn, footage of Soriah receiving CPR at the scene was shared online by onlookers. The videos quickly spread across social media, exposing her final moments to public view. Even more troubling, some individuals posted harsh and insensitive comments, assigning blame and fueling online cruelty.

Her mother, Saphiatu Barry, spoke openly about the trauma this caused. She described the heartbreak of arriving at the hospital before her daughter, only to wait in uncertainty before being told that nothing more could be done. The situation became even more painful when Soriah’s 13-year-old sister was exposed to the graphic footage online.

The incident has sparked renewed conversations about the ethical responsibilities of social media users and platforms. In moments of crisis, the instinct to record and share can overshadow empathy and respect. For grieving families, such actions can deepen wounds that are already difficult to bear.

Amid the tragedy, there remains a bittersweet acknowledgment of Soriah’s talent and potential. Just days before the accident, she had been scheduled to meet with Apple Music to discuss releasing her R&B music. It was an opportunity she had worked toward, a chance to share her voice with a wider audience. In recognition of her talent, Apple Music has since announced plans to release her songs posthumously as a tribute.

To those who knew her, Soriah was far more than a promising artist. Her family and friends remember her as loyal, vibrant, and full of life. In a heartfelt statement, they described her as someone who left a lasting impression on everyone she met—someone deeply loved and impossible to forget. Her aunt, Jamilah Barry, captured her spirit in a few powerful words: “fierce, loyal, and so full of life.”

Soriah Barry’s story is one of both inspiration and heartbreak. It is a reminder of how fragile life can be, how quickly circumstances can change, and how important it is to approach both life and loss with compassion. As her music prepares to reach the world, it will carry not just her talent, but the memory of a life that ended far too soon.