The mother of a London bus driver who died after catching coronavirus broke down as she begged for transport workers to be given proper protective equipment. Emeka Nyack Ihenacho, 36, is one of nine bus drivers who have lost their lives to coronavirus in the UK. He worked in Holloway, north London, for bus company Metroline, which has also confirmed the deaths of two more employees. Today, Emeka’s mother Anne Nyack fought back tears as she slammed London mayor Sadiq Khan, saying bus drivers like her son are at high-risk of becoming infected with Covid-19 – and aren’t being properly protected. Appearing on Good Morning Britain, she said: ‘He needs to get out there and have a look at the buses and see what condition the drivers are operating in. They are at risk, my son was at risk, sadly he died.’

The government has faced rising levels of criticism over a nationwide lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) among frontline NHS workers. Anne said transport workers should also be among the first key workers to be given PPE while continuing to work. Her son had spoken to his partner and his sister about the ‘dirty’ conditions on the buses before he died, she said.

She added: ‘He was given hand sanitiser – he had no mask, no gloves, nothing. Plus, he was asthmatic, he was open to the elements. ‘I don’t want a letter or a telephone call, I want [Sadiq Khan] to see the real faces of the tragedy, which is me and all the other bus drivers that have lost their lives.’ In an emotional tribute, a tearful Ms Nyack described her son as ‘a lovely man with a heart of gold’. ‘He would help anybody,’ she said. ‘He was full of laughter and always a joker, he had a nickname for all of us.’

Sadiq Khan today confirmed that 14 London transport workers have died from coronavirus (Picture: Reuters)

Mr Khan today confirmed that 14 transport workers in London have died from Covid-19, including eight TfL bus drivers. In response to Anne’s comments, the mayor said the transport industry is using enhanced cleaning regimes. He told Sky News: ‘We’re using antiviral disinfectant – the sort of stuff you use in hospitals – to clean not just the steering wheels, but the handles, the bus garages, the restrooms. ‘We’ve also made sure passengers can’t sit too near a bus driver.’ He added that perspex screens with protective film are also protecting drivers. A new measure is being piloted which will see commuters enter and leave through the back door of London buses, but there are concerns that this will lead to congestion among passengers.

As well as Mr Ihenacho, two other Metroline workers have died in the last few days – Alperton driver Said Musse and Willesden garage supervisor Paul Ahetto. A Metroline spokesman said: ‘It is with immense sadness that we can confirm that three of our colleagues have passed away after contracting coronavirus. ‘We are devastated by this loss and we offer our support and condolences to the families at this incredibly difficult time. ‘The safety of our employees has always been our priority and we continue to do everything we can to make sure our workforce is as protected and as safe as possible during this unprecedented time.’