Four killed in Knight Bus accident
Rubeus Hagrid, Stan Shunpike among perished
Thursday, April 1, 2004 Posted: 12:01 AM EST
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The Knight Bus, pictured with Stan Shunpike, at a routine stop.
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LONDON (PNN) -- Tom the innkeeper was one of four killed late last night when the Knight Bus unexpectedly slammed into the Leaky Cauldron, demolishing the famous establishment which doubled as an entrance to Diagon Alley.
Rubeus Hagrid, groundskeeper and teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, also perished in the accident.
Doris Crockford, a long-time patron of the inn, witnessed the tragedy. "It all happened so quickly. There I was, walking down the street on my way to the Cauldron to meet poor Hagrid for a drink or two before heading home, when - BANG - suddenly this purple bus popped up out of nowhere, barreling out of control down the road. It weaved a couple of times, then headed straight towards the Cauldron, smashing right through the front door."
Madam Marsh, who had ridden the Knight Bus only once, had recently filed a complaint with the Ministry of Magic Transportation Department. "I tell you, that Ernie drove like a madman. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened."
Crockford added, "Word is Ernie had been hitting the sauce lately - having a bit o' trouble with the missus, from what I hear."
Although no passengers were aboard the Knight Bus at the time of the incident, both Ernie Prang, who had been driving the Bus for several years, and conductor Stan Shunpike died instantly on impact.