CHIPPENHAM NEWS EXCLUSIVE: A MINIBUS accident that landed nine elderly people in hospital has turned to tragedy with the death of 88-year-old Francis Stickler.

Former police sergeant Mr Stickler, of Westbrook Close, Chippenham, was one of the passengers in a minibus that hurtled down Lowden Hill and crashed into a wall last month.

He died last Wednesday, leaving his daughter Helen Shortall with a list of questions that need answering.

It was Mr Stickler's wedding anniversary on April 21 when the minibus transporting him to the Thursday Luncheon Club at Rotary Hall crashed.

Mr Stickler suffered a broken leg in the accident and was recovering well in the Royal United Hospital, Bath, when he suddenly died.

Mrs Shortall, of Mendip Gardens, Bath, said: "The doctor rang at about 8.30pm to say he was declining. We were just too late.

"I was desperate to get up there because my mother died on her own and I didn't want him to be on his own."

She said his death had come completely out of the blue, three weeks after the minibus accident.

"My sister left him that day at about 12.30pm just after he had been served his dinner. One moment he was looking forward to his dinner and the next moment he was dead.

"It's so sad and he didn't deserve to go like that."

"We were having his house decorated for him to come back to. He desperately wanted to come home."

She said her father had been strong and healthy and his death raised questions about his hospital care. She is keen to hear the results of an inquest that has been opened into his death.

She said: "People are very worried about the RUH in and around Bath. I'm not saying it's anything to do with their care but we just want to know. If there's no blame we are happy to accept that but we don't want to lay on it as it is."

She is also waiting to hear the result of a police investigation into the minibus crash, which happened just weeks after it passed its MOT.

She hopes the bus service, which transports more than 100 elderly and disabled people around Chippenham each week, will not be jeopardised by the crash.

She has put her support behind the Chippenham News campaign for a new bus to replace the one wrecked in the crash.

She said: "My dad went to the luncheon club every Thursday. He really loved going and it is an opportunity for elderly people to go out for a hot meal."

Mr Stickler grew up in Trowbridge. He served in the police force for most of his working life and was a sergeant in Chippenham.

He married Ira in 1942 after meeting her in a shoe shop in Trowbridge.

He enjoyed organising police outings and was a football and cricket fan.

His wife died 10 years ago.

Audrey Scotford, president of the Thursday Luncheon Club, said: "My thoughts are with his family. He was a very quiet man and a gentleman, someone who never upset anyone."

Deputy director of nursing at the RUH, Deborah Gray said: "I would like to pass on my condolences to Mr Stickler's family at this very distressing time.

"I would encourage the family to contact the trust as soon as possible so that we can look into any concerns they may have surrounding Mr Stickler's treatment."

Mr Stickler's funeral will take place at St Nicholas Church on Tuesday.