Ada Bicakci was fatally injured on August 3, 2024, when a bus swerved onto the pavement as she cycled to a gymnastics class with her brother and father.
One year on, father and mother Bora and Nevgül Bicakci have delivered an emotional speech at an event to honour the memory of their daughter Ada.
‘My 9-year-old girl is dead because a bus driver took drugs and partied all night’
Nevgül said: “We will keep fighting for Ada. Please fight with us.
“Because if you are not with us, we are not strong. We need your support. We need your help.
“We want road safety for everybody. We don’t want anyone to suffer like we do.
“Thank you for being here, all of you. It means a lot to us.
“Ada is watching. And she is happy. Thank you.”
The driver of the bus, Martin Asolo-Agogua, smoked cannabis and texted a friend “I’ve got work at 8 so I ain’t sleeping”, before the incident.
Footage from inside the bus showed him yawning, his eyes closing, his head nodding, and the bus swerving onto the pavement.
The 23-year-old was jailed for four years on June 9 after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs.
Father, Bora, pledged: “No driver will fall asleep on the wheel ever again.”
Ada’s parents have promised to fight for greater road safety following their daughter’s deathappealed for the death of their daughter Ada to bring greater safety for pedestrians.
The family has set up a campaign called Ada’s Heartbeart to “amplify the message about road safety [and] shine a light on this important issue”.
Supporters gathered at the event around a banner bearing the title of the campaign.
Messages were written on the wall in crayon with candles and flowers laid on the floor.
Ada’s parents were joined by the Mayor of Bexley, Christine Catterall, and the Mayor’s consort, Dave Curtois.
Dave Curtois said: “One year ago we lost Adda.
“A bright, joyful and deeply loved young girl. Her life was cut short by a senseless and avoidable tragedy.
“But today we are not here to mourn the loss. We are here to honour the light she brought into the world and to carry it forward.
“Adda was full of life. Curious, creative, kind-hearted. She lit up every room she entered and brought joy to those who were lucky enough to know her. 
“Though her time here was too brief, the love she gave and the memories she made continued to ripple through everybody who knew her.
“Her parents, Bora and Nevgül, have shown extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable grief.
“They have chosen not to turn inward but to stand up for Adda and for others.
“They are now campaigning to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use and exhaustion behind the wheel. 
“Calling for stricter controls, safer roads and stronger protections for our communities.
“The message is simple and powerful. No one else should have to suffer a loss like this.
“What they are doing is not only an act of advocacy, it’s an act of love.
“A way to make sure Ada’s story doesn’t end with sorrow but continues with purpose.
“So let this day be about more than remembrance. Let it be about hope. Let it be about courage.
“Let it be about a young girl whose life, though short, is inspiring something much stronger.
“And as we move forward, let’s carry Ada with us. Not just in sadness but in action. In courage. in every effort to build a safer, more compassionate world.”
The speeches were followed by Ada’s favourite music being played, after which the family continued to the cemetery.
Read more about the campaign Ada’s Heartbeat here.
