An aspiring young singer died in a bus crash in east London just days before she was set to have a “life-changing” meeting with a music giant, her family has revealed.
Soriah Barry, 27, died after her car collided with a stationary double-decker bus on Lea Bridge Road on the morning of February 8 last year, shortly after she had dropped off a friend.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang as Ms Barry’s Audi struck the bus with such force, that the driver, Elizabeth Kalegga, was thrown from her seat to the floor.
In a tribute to Soriah last year, her family wrote: “Soriah was fierce, loyal and wow - so full of life. She touched so many hearts [...] Losing her so suddenly has been devastating.”
The R&B singer was rushed to hospital by emergency services but tragically died from her injuries.
Now, her grieving family have revealed how Ms Barry was about to meet with music giant Apple Music before the crash.
Speaking to Metro, her Aunt Malika Barry said: “Soriah’s life was taken in the blink of an eye. Everything was working well for her.
“The music was going so well, she had a meeting with Apple Music and was going on Spotify. She was so talented and beautiful – she was the full package.”
The young singer was following in the footsteps of her aunt, Jamilah Barry, who has a legion of fans after breaking into the industry as a teenager.
Since her death, Apple Music has told the family they would upload her songs in her memory.
Ms Barry’s friends told an inquest that she was a careful driver and that toxicology reports indicated she was below the drink-drive limit.
Her family believe she may have been distracted and when she saw what was about to happen, accidentally put her foot on the accelerator instead of the brake.
Coroner Adam Smith agreed with this supposition, but explained he did not know what caused the lack of awareness.
