CASPER, the cat who provoked countless headlines worldwide by travelling around Plymouth on the same bus every day for the last four years, is no more. He was killed by a hit-and-run motorist.
So used had drivers on the No 3 bus route in the city become to Casper that they warned passengers to keep an eye out to make sure he got off at the right stop to go home to his owner, Sue Finden.
However, Casper made the journey to the bus stop, where he queued alongside other passengers, once too often. He fell victim to a motorist as he crossed the road for his usual hour-long 10am journey.
His devastated owner yesterday posted a notice at the bus stop: “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,” said Ms Finden.
She was missing her pet “dreadfully”, she added.
Bus company First Devon and Cornwall’s managing director, Marc Reddy, said company staff had been “devastated” to hear of the death of the cat, whose image is carried on one bus.
“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,” he said.
Casper, who was cremated at a local vet’s crematorium, had been about to become even more famous: he was due to feature in a British children’s TV programme later this year.
