Casper the Commuting Cat: The True Story of the Cat Who Rode the Bus and Stole Our Hearts

CHAPTER 26

RIP Casper

Edd was true to his word. Within a few days, the story of Casper’s death was in the Plymouth Herald.

Celebrity cat killed in hit and run

A much-loved Barne Barton cat who made headlines around the world has died after being hit by a car.

Casper the commuting cat fast became a celebrity on Plymouth buses when he used to politely queue with the other passengers, before hopping aboard to travel around the city.

His owner says she’s devastated and doubts she’ll ever have a cat like Casper again.

Sue Finden said: ‘I never dreamt I’d miss an animal as much as I miss him. He was lovely and loved people so much – he was such a different character.’

She said she only found out about his death when a woman knocked on her door to tell her she’d seen Casper get hit by a car, but the driver hadn’t stopped.

She took Casper into the house but realized he’d already died.

‘If he’d been ill we might have prepared for it but it hasn’t helped us that the driver didn’t stop – we couldn’t believe it.’

Sue discovered Casper’s escapades when he followed her onto a bus and a First Devon and Cornwall bus driver said he travelled with them all the time.

The Plymouth puss featured on websites from England’s tabloids to the USA’s mystateline.com.

Headlines Casper enjoyed included ‘Stowaway Cat gets bus-ted’, in The Sun while The Press Association went with ‘Joyrider Casper given a puss pass’. He also appeared on a diverse range of other websites.

He proved a hit with drivers and customers alike, who always made sure he returned home safely.

Casper’s journey took him from just outside his house in Poole Park Road to the final stop at Royal Parade and back, via St Budeaux Square, HMS Drake, Keyham, Devonport and Stonehouse.

Mrs Finden added: ‘I thought it was only decent that I let the public know what had happened to him as he made so many friends and would turn up to the bus stop like clockwork.’

She posted a notice at Casper’s usual bus stop in Poole Park Road, saying: ‘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.’

Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Devon and Cornwall, expressed the company’s sympathy for the friendly feline.

He said: ‘We were devastated to hear that Casper had been involved in an accident; he was a regular passenger on Service 3 in Plymouth and had become very well known across the business.

‘On hearing the news of his death, many of the drivers expressed sympathy for him and Susan, and we contacted her to offer our collective condolences.

‘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.’

Casper was so popular that an image of him was emblazoned onto the side of a First Devon and Cornwall bus.

Mr Reddy said: ‘Casper’s image will remain on the bus for some time to come, and we hope that seeing it around town will give Susan some comfort.’

He added that Casper is also due to feature in a children’s TV programme later this year, detailing his exploits on the bus in the city.

‘His memory will live on, giving people pleasure, for a while yet,’ he added.

Mrs Finden said that Casper had been cremated at a local vet’s crematorium. She would like to thank the woman who let her know that Casper had been hit.

As Ed mentioned, I had decided to put up a notice in the bus shelter with a picture of Casper so that all his fellow passengers would know that he would no longer be taking any trips with them. I wrote:

Many local people knew Casper who loved everyone and his trips on the bus. Sadly, a motorist hit him at about 8.45a.m. on Thursday, 14 January, and did not stop. Casper died from his injuries. He will be greatly missed by many, but especially by us, as he was a very much loved pet who had so much character Thank you to all who befriended him.

The news of Casper’s sad end was spreading quickly. Newspapers were picking up on Edd’s report and tributes started flooding into Facebook from all over the world after a Casper page was set up. It was staggering. There was such an outpouring of affection and grief. So many people were reaching out to me even though I had no idea who they were. I was extremely touched, but also very emotional every time I read the kind words.

Casper was a legend amongst felines across the globe. Truly wish I could have sat next to you on the bus. Deepest sympathies to your owner, your friends at First bus and everyone else’s heart you touched. I also hope the rotters who knocked you over and didn’t bother to stop and help are found and they get their just desserts. Sweet dreams little kitty.

Vix

Poor kitty, he brought a great smile to my face reading about his travels.

Kev

What a tragedy. Deep condolences to Susan, the bus company and its wonderful and caring drivers, as well as the passengers who had had the wonderful opportunity to share their rides with such a special and smart feline. Rest in peace Casper, we all love you!

Noni

It is truly amazing that this cat can even touch hearts across the pond. RIP Casper. You were a very special cat.

Chris

I am saddened to hear the tragic news of what has happened to poor Casper – whoever did this to him wants locking up with the key thrown away. To leave him dying and not stop to help is appalling, let’s hope divine retribution kicks in and they soon get their comeuppance, that was a heartless act of extreme merciless cruelty against a poor defenceless animal. Shame on the evil culprit. As a cat lover who also has a cat of real character I was totally devastated when someone did this twice to my cat. Thankfully she was found in time and saved but I really feel for Casper and his owners. RIP Casper and sincerest condolences to all who knew and loved Casper Let’s hope. Casper has gone on to ride the astral buses in the world beyond, forever travelling, safe and happy.

Evelyn

RIP Casper – have a safe journey to heaven.

David

Terrible to lose a pet. It’s as bad as losing a family member because that’s what they are.

Sarah

It’s not like running over some random cat, it’s like running over a person!

Matt

Here I was thinking people DISLIKE commuting! Now this cat comes in and turns my world upside down. I will never forget him.

Thomas

Soooooo sad! When I first read about Casper, it made me laugh so much, bless his little feline soul. RIP Casper and love to his family.

Emma

Heartbroken to read the news. How could somebody be so cruel as to drive on without stopping? A big ‘thank you’ to all those kind First bus drivers in Plymouth who looked after him on his daily journey. Perhaps somebody in Plymouth could put some flowers at Casper’s stop for us all?

Paul

I’m gutted that I didn’t ever catch the same bus as Casper! The coolest cat ever!

Annie

I was extremely saddened to learn about the death of this beautiful and unique cat. I first learned about Casper from a feature article in a magazine, which detailed his daily travels by bus, and I enjoyed reading about his adventures. Now if I ever go to England, I’ll never have the chance to ride on the same bus – he was truly one of a kind. My deepest sympathies go out to his owner as well as his many friends who knew and loved him.

Michelle

The comments went on and on. So many people had read about Casper and so many people were grieving. They felt the loss too. Commentators often say that as the world gets smaller through technology, we’re losing our sense of neighbourliness and contact with others. This may indeed be the case in some instances, but I found that, through the Internet, I had thousands of friends I never knew existed. When I needed to dwell on the space Casper had left in my world, all I had to do was log on and there were comments from new people who wanted to reach out and offer me words of condolence. Again, Casper had achieved something incredible.

The story was covered in all the British national newspapers and I received personal letters from editors and journalists across the country. As the days passed, the global phenomenon that was Casper gained pace, but I felt cheated. Many of the tributes were so beautiful, but I wished they had not been necessary. Casper had been snatched from us so unfairly and so quickly. If he’d been ill, maybe I would have been more prepared for his death. I was always hurt by the loss of any of my cats, but Casper was such an amazing boy that his death hit me hard. I knew that the interest would fade and I would be left with my memories. Casper had blessed me with so many beautiful ones, and I was desperately trying to hold onto that, but the pain was raw and I didn’t know how I was going to cope in the future without him.