Man died after 'accidentally stepping' into path of a van

Veteran, 90, was a 'wonderful character'

- Thomas Cooper

A 'FIERCELY independent' 90-year-old RAF veteran died after accidentally stepping in front of a van on a busy road.

Raymond Austin was tragically knocked down in Leek Road, Endon.

An inquest heard the pensioner was meant to collect a prescription with his daughter, but he decided to head to the pharmacy by himself instead.

While making the return leg of his journey, he was struck by the vehicle at 12.20pm on April 10.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene after the van driver 'immediately' called 999 abd Raymond, right, died in hospital the following day.

Sergeant Richard Moore, who spearheaded the investigation, said: "The collision involved a black Renault Trafic van, which was heading from Leek towards Stoke. Raymond was stood by the carriageway next to a bus stop.