Casper The Commuting Cat: The True Story Of The Cat Who Rode The Bus And Stole Our Hearts

‘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.