GAZETTE & HERALD: GRIEVING relatives of former Chippenham police sergeant Francis Stickler said a final farewell on Tuesday, almost four weeks after he was injured in a minibus accident.

Mr Stickler, known as John, was among a party of pensioners travelling to a luncheon club at the Rotary Hall when the minibus crashed into a wall on Rowden Hill last month.

The 88-year-old great-grandad, of Westbrook Close, suffered a broken leg and was recovering at Bath's Royal United Hospital when he suddenly passed away.

He leaves two daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

"It was such a shock," said his daughter Helen Shortall, who lives in Bath. "One minute he was looking forward to his dinner, the next the doctor was on the phone saying he was fading. It was very rapid.

"We still haven't come to terms with it yet. None of us had a chance to say cheerio.

"My son, who is a research scientist, was especially looking forward to showing dad a paper he had published. He really wanted his grandfather to be proud of him. It's little things like that that are upsetting."

Mr Stickler, a widower for ten years, was well-known in Chippenham where he was a station sergeant for almost 20 years.

When Mr Stickler retired after 30 years' service in the police force, he worked at Chippenham Magistrates Court until he was 65.

"He loved his job and never stopped being a policeman," said Mrs Shortall. "My sister and I were always in awe of him because he was quite a big man. Policing was his life rather than just a job."

Mr Stickler's funeral was held at St Nicholas Church, Hardenhuish.

The other passengers on board the bus received minor injuries and are recovering in their homes.