A 70-year-old man was trapped under a bus for 45 minutes before later dying in hospital, an inquest has heard.

John Spearpoint died at Kings College Hospital on Sunday, August 28, eight days after the horror accident at Folkestone bus station in Middelburg Square.

An inquest opening this morning heard how retired Mr Spearpoint, of Bonsor Road, Folkestone, was airlifted to the hospital when a single-decker Stagecoach 103 service to Lydd crashed through metal railings and into the shelter where he was sat.

He then underwent emergency surgery, but his condition began to deteriorate and a decision was made on August 28 to start palliative care. He died the same day.

Coroner Katrina Hepburn told the court Mr Spearpoint's cause of death was multiple organ failure as a result of complications from a crash injury.

His inquest was then suspended for 28 days while Kent Police continue to investigate the incident.

Following his tragic death tributes were paid to the former armed forces man who was known around the town for his involvement in model-making. He had previously worked at the Model Transport shop which once traded on Guildhall Street.

His former employer at the store, Trevor Claringbold, paid tribute to him by describing him as "very laid back, gentle, always smiling".

"He was good fun, he was always part of the team," he said.

"Everybody liked him, he was just one of those guys that you instantly took a liking to, he didn't have a bad word to say about anybody, and just lived life to the full.

"He used to enjoy himself and just got on with things that made him happy."

As well as being part of the community that grew up around the Model Transport shop, Mr Spearpoint was also involved in the Trucks 'N' Tracks shows staged at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone.

Officers from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit have appealed for witnesses who saw the incident at the bus station, which happened at around 10am, to come forward.

A spokesman for bus operator Stagecoach said: "Our heart goes out to the family of the gentleman who has died and to his loved ones.

"We are continuing to assist the investigation into the incident in every way that we can."