Akta Patel, 20, had just got off a Travellers Choice coach opposite Sainsbury's in Cable Street at 3.30am last Friday when she was hit by a doubledecker bus.

The Lancaster University student, who had been on a night out with friends in Manchester, suffered head injuries and was first taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

She was then transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital at 7.15am where she remained in a critical condition until the afternoon of Wednesday March 10, when her life support machine was switched off.

The empty Stagecoach N1 bus had just finished its shift for the night and had been returning to its White Lund depot.

The incident was captured on CCTV and the road was closed by police until 5.51am.

Stephie Barber, Stagecoach operations manager, said: "Our thoughts are with the student's family and friends at this very sad time.

"It's a sad waste. You go to university and you don't expect something like this to happen."

She described the incident as an 'unfortunate accident' and told how the 65-year-old Stagecoach driver from Marsh had spoken to the coach driver following the incident.

He had explained how he warned the girl and two of her friends to be careful as they got off and even sounded his horn.

She added that the Stagecoach driver, who was unhurt but shaken, had taken the following day off work.

Atka was a registered organ donor and it is understood that her organs have been donated to help save other lives.

Originally from London, she was a second year undergraduate student reading French Studies and Philosophy at Lancaster University.

A university spokeswoman said: "Akta will be sadly missed by many friends and family."

* Witnesses should call police on 01524 63333.