Tributes paid to 'larger than life' Hartlepool bus driver after he died at end of shift

Devout Hartlepool United fan Mick Evans, 64, was walking across the yard at Stagecoach’s Brenda Road depot when he collapsed after suffering an aneurysm.

A colleague attempted to revive the married dad of three before he was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived.

His son, Michael, 36, today said: “It was completely unexpected and it has left the whole family broken.

"I had only spoke to him on the lunchtime and he was as right as rain.

"He finished his shift before midnight and was walking back across the yard when he collapsed and died.”

Mick is survived by wife Dorothy, 63, who works at Peterlee’s Asda supermarket, and children Nick, 44, a delivery driver, who now lives in Stockton, Rebecca Dempster, 42, of Trimdon Station, who works in a call centre, and Michael.

Michael, who was Pools club mascot H’Angus the Monkey for eight years, added: “He was a larger than life character who lit the pub, village or town up.

"His family came first and then his love for Pools. He loved the club and helped them out so much over the years.”

Season-ticket holder Mick, from Trimdon Station, raised funds for Pools in the 1970s to buy them equipment and even volunteered to build walls at the front of the Rink End and Town End stands with bricks left over from the demolition of the town’s famous Rink Ballroom.

Steve Walker, Stagecoach North East’s managing director, said: “He was a fantastic guy who made the depot buzz and he will be really missed.

"Everyone was shocked and saddened when they heard.”

Family friend and radio presenter Paul Gough added: “He was a massive personality who will be sorely missed.

"If you got on his bus on a Monday morning feeling miserable about work then he would make you feel so much better about yourself.”

Mick, who died just before midnight on July 3, previously drove for United, National Express and Durham Travel before joining Stagecoach.

Floor mechanic Michael, from Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, said his dad’s former colleagues are talking about forming a guard of honour outside his funeral service.

He added: “The response has been immense. We have had more flowers than they have on the shelves of a flower shop.

"We have had people get in touch from his National Express days and it just shows how much he meant to so many people.

"Everyone is just so shocked. Because of his job, he had friends everywhere.

"He talked about staying on at work until he was 70 although we think he might have retired at 65.”

Mick was also grandfather to Tia Maitland, great grandfather to Isaac Maitland and will be missed by sisters Evelyn Gowland, Nichola Dodsworth and their families.

His funeral at St Mary Magdalene Church, in Trimdon Village, at 1.30pm on Wednesday, July 15, is restricted to close relatives only owing to coronavirus restrictions.

Mourners, however, are invited to Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill Workingmen’s Club afterwards to pay their respects while observing social distancing guidelines.

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