Tributes to Walsall bus driver after New Year's Eve death aged 29
Tributes have been paid to an award-winning Walsall bus driver who has died aged 29.
Keen bus driver and enthusiast Isobel Gall had been based at National Express West Midlands' Walsall garage since 2015.
She died on New Year's Eve after being diagnosed with cancer in 2018.
Isobel was the first-ever female driver to win the National Express UK Bus Driver of the Year competition in July 2018 – beating more than 250 colleagues.
However she became unwell and was admitted to hospital later that month.
In August 2018, she was diagnosed with with peritoneal mesothelioma – a form of cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen.
Bosses at National Express West Midlands said Isobel was well liked by customers on bus routes including the 51, 77, 934, 935, 936, 937, 937A, 997 and X51.
Isobel was well-known and liked within the bus enthusiast community for a #WeStandWithIsobel campaign.
National Express West Midlands also dedicated a Platinum Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 double decker bus – fleet number 6725 – to Isobel last year.
Phil Bowen, operations manager at National Express West Midlands, said: "We are all very sad to hear of Isobel’s passing on New Year’s Eve 2019.
"She was an excellent driver and a very well liked member of the Walsall team and the wider bus enthusiast community.
“On behalf of colleagues across the business I would like to pass on our sincere condolences and thoughts to Isobel’s family and friends at this very sad time.”
