Elderly Telford man died of fall injuries after children ran in front of bus
An elderly Telford man died of his injuries after the bus he was travelling on made an emergency stop when children ran out in front of the vehicle, an inquest heard.
The son of 92-year-old Joseph James Stockton said the parents of the children were "ultimately responsible" for his father's death.
Mr Stockton was on the bus travelling along Sutton Way in Sutton Hill, Telford, on September 3, when he stood up in preparation for leaving the bus at the next stop.
At that moment, as the bus passed a nearby pedestrian subway, three children ran up to the barrier next 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.
Mr Stockton lost his footing, causing the 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.
Michael 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 line 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."
The pensioner, who lived on Gleneagles Close in Sutton Hill, had been married to Freda who died 15 years ago.
He was also a father to 65-year-old Sue, who lives in Madeley and had become a great-grandfather in April of this year.
His son said: "Dad was very popular, well liked and respected having many friends, some of whom 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."
