Bus passenger, 92, died when driver was forced to brake for children running in the road

The son of Joseph James Stockton said the parents of the children were 'ultimately responsible' for his father's death.

Mr Stockton, a great-grandfather who trained as a bomber pilot in the Second World War, was on the bus travelling along Sutton Way, Telford, on September 3 when he stood up ready for the next stop.

At that moment three children ran up to the road. One remained on the pavement but two ran into the road, one stopping halfway and the other into the path of the bus, causing it to make an emergency stop.

As a result of the braking, Mr Stockton lost his footing, causing the serious head and neck injuries that led to his death two days later at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

An inquest held by Shropshire Coroner John Ellery at Wellington Civic Centre recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Following the hearing, his son Michael, 63, said the parents of the children involved should have taken more responsibility to ensure the children did not put themselves, or others, in harm's way.

Mr Stockton, who lives in Wolverhampton, said: "His life would have continued for many more years if it had not been cut short by the irresponsible actions of those children, who forced the bus driver to brake suddenly, causing our father to fall.

"The parents of these children are ultimately responsible for our father's tragic, untimely, violent death, and all of his family and friends agree that social services need to take a hard like with all of them.

"We know this will not change events but surely the parents have a duty of care to ensure their children are at all times supervised and looked after, to make sure they do not put either their own or other people's lives in danger. I'm not saying they meant to cause harm but as a result, we have lost our father."

His father was born and raised in Wolverhampton but moved to Telford 30 years ago. His wife Freda died 15 years ago.

He was also a father to 65-year-old Sue and had become a great-grandfather in April of this year.

His son said: "He was extremely fit and exceptionally active for a man of his age, being on no regular medication. He was very proud of being mainly self-sufficient and independent, taking pleasure from looking after his dog, doing most of his own gardening, cooking and cleaning.

"He was also still making may articles for friends in his own well-equipped workshop.

"He maintained many interests, politics, current affairs, sport, music, DIY, films and loved nothing more than having lively debates on any topic you could mention.

"Dad was very popular, well liked and respected having many friends, some of who he had lunch with earlier on the day he had his terrible accident.

"He trained as a bomber pilot during the Second World War having passed his flying course with distinctions.

"As a young man he was fascinated by anything mechanical, being a keen motorcyclist, car driver and also designed and made many remote control model aircraft.

"After the war he became a draughtsman, which led to a long and distinguished career in engineering. He eventually built up his own engineering design and manufacturing business, continuing to work until he was 74 years of age.

"Dad also nursed mum for the very long last seven years of her life as she battled with dementia."