ROME - A 22-year old girl from Rome has died whilst crossing Corso Vittorio Emanuele in the very centre of the city, run over by a coach full of tourists, police said on Friday.

 The tragedy took place on Thursday before dozens of pedestrians in the Chiesa Nuova square near to Piazza Navona. As police blocked the traffic, the emergency team tried desperately to resuscitate her, but all attempts were useless.

 The driver of the Italian Roman Society Bus was the first to help Caterina Pangrazi, who lived just a few steps from where the accident took place, in the area of Governo Vecchio.

 According to initial investigations, the girl had crossed Corso Vittorio at the end of the piazza in Chiesa Nuova when she was hit by a coach that was crossing the fast lane towards Tevere. According to some witnesses the girl had started to cross just as the red light for pedestrians appeared, whilst others say the coach was in the lane reserved for public transport vehicles; statements that still need to be confirmed by local police.

 The news of the tragedy was quickly given to Caterina’s family and boyfriend.

 cb