First Group drivers on the number 3 route kept an eye on Casper A cat which became a celebrity by travelling around Plymouth on the bus has died after reportedly being struck by a car. Casper, a 12-year-old black and white cat, used to wait with commuters at the bus stop and then hop on to the number 3 to find a seat to curl up on. The cat was so well-known on the First Devon and Cornwall service, drivers knew which stop to let him off at. His death was announced on a notice put up at Casper's bus stop by his owner. 'Free spirit' It said: "Many local people knew Casper, who loved everyone - he also enjoyed the bus journeys. "Sadly a motorist hit him and did not stop. "Casper died from his injuries. He will be greatly missed...he was a much loved pet who had so much character. Thank you to all those who befriended him." Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement First Devon and Cornwall said it was "devastated" by the cat's death. Casper's owner, 55-year-old Susan Finden, who re-homed him from a rescue centre in 2002, said he had always been a free spirit. He was named after the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost, because of his habit of wandering off. 'Exploring heaven' Mrs Finden posted a tribute to Casper on the local Herald newspaper website and thanked First's bus drivers for looking after her pet so well. The website has also received tributes to Casper from around the world, including the US and Australia. The bus company said many of its drivers had expressed sympathy for Casper to Mrs Finden. In a statement, a company spokeswoman said: "Casper touched many people's lives and clearly had a very exciting life - travelling around Plymouth and who knows where else. "I suspect he's now exploring heaven and is telling all the other cats up there about the many adventures he had." A picture of the cat will continue to be used on one of the company's buses.



Bookmark with: Delicious

Digg

reddit

Facebook

StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version