Nearly a year after the tragic death of their daughter, Ada Zeynep Bicakci, her parents are speaking out in hopes of making a difference. Ada, a nine-year-old gymnast and swimmer, was tragically killed in London in August 2024 when 23-year-old bus driver Martin Asolo-Ogugua fell asleep at the wheel, drove onto a sidewalk, and struck Ada as she was riding her bike.
The Tragic Incident
On that fateful day, Ada was riding her bike to gymnastics class with her father, Bora, and her five-year-old brother when the bus veered off the road. The driver, Asolo-Ogugua, had taken cannabis the night before, and police reported that he failed a drug test at the scene.
Ada was rushed to the hospital but sadly passed away two days later due to the severity of her injuries. Asolo-Ogugua was sentenced to four years in prison and had his driving privileges revoked for seven years.
Parents’ Call for Change
Ada’s parents, Nevgül and Bora Bicakci, have expressed their outrage over the loss of their daughter and are using their grief as a catalyst for change. They’ve spoken to News Shopper, explaining their desire to create a safer future for all children.
“This senseless act, rooted in driver negligence and systemic failures, ignited our unyielding fight to ensure a safer future for all,” they said. They are determined to pursue meaningful change and accountability from Transport for London (TfL) and the government.
“We want to make sure that no other family goes through what we went through,” they added. “Our voice resonates with other victims and bus drivers who want to avoid similar future pain.”
The Campaign in Ada’s Memory
In memory of Ada, her parents created an organization called “Ada’s Heartbeat.” They are planning a public event on August 3, 2025, at the scene where Ada was killed, and are working to get permission to meet at the location of the incident.
The event aims to raise awareness and share more information about the tragic accident. The Bicakci family also intends to share visuals from the incident to highlight the larger issues of road safety and driver responsibility.
In a touching act of kindness, Ada’s parents donated her organs to six other children, embodying Ada’s “giving spirit” and helping save lives.
The Parents’ Heartbreaking Statements
Both Nevgül and Bora delivered emotional statements during the court proceedings. Nevgül expressed her heartbreak, saying, “My daughter is gone. She was nine-years-old and innocent.
Why is she gone? Because a 23-year-old shirked his responsibility, took drugs, partied all night, and then got behind the wheel of a bus the following morning.”
Bora, who was with Ada during the incident, recalled the harrowing moment when the bus hit the curb. “The sound of the tires hitting the curb. Looking back and seeing Ada’s body bouncing between the bus and the wall,” he said.
“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.”
A Lasting Legacy
Ada’s death has left an indelible mark on her family and the community. Her parents’ decision to donate her organs has brought hope to other families, and their fight for safer roads continues in her memory.
The Bicakci family remains committed to advocating for change, with their campaign and organization aiming to ensure that no other child suffers the same fate.
