THE family of a lorry driver who was killed when he hit the back of a stationary bus have marked his funeral - by 'pimping his ride'.

William Maptsone, 66, died shortly after 9pm on Saturday, March 24 at a Birmingham hospital following the accident which left one bus passenger dead and another critically ill.

His family said they wanted to remember him how he was - doing the job he loved.

His coffin was transformed into a white cab with his nickname 'Glastonbury flyer' written on it.

Daughter Frances, who as his next of kin was first informed of the crash, said: “We didn't want to be reminded of how he was killed but rather what he used to be like and what he used to do.

“We wanted to do something different, something personal. We looked at a range of coffins and then I showed the funeral director pictures of his trucks and he agreed we should do something to remember him how he was in life.

“He was game for a laugh. He was also very gentle, very kind and had a heart of gold.”

Wife Helen, who would have marked 30 years together with him in September, said: “We wanted to give him a proper send off. It's the only way he would have wanted to go. He would have been very proud.”

William's daughter Frances, Emmay Young, Sam Michael and Linda Godfrey dressed as lorry drivers and each tattooed their fathers birth and death across their wrists.

The driver of the bus, which was reported to have broken down amid thick fog in a "live" lane remains on bail after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash, West Midlands Police said.

The force confirmed the bus was carrying a party of fruit-packers.

William had been en route from Manchester to Devon and was due to be back for his granddaughter's christening on the Sunday, which was later cancelled.

William is also survived by several grandchildren, including David Parsons, who flew back from China to help with the funeral arrangements, and 'honorary' son Mark Parsons, his work partner.