AN 85-year-old man whose disability scooter fell from the back of a Dial-a-Ride taxi-bus has died.

James Hunt fell less than 3ft, but suffered serious head and chest injuries outside the entrance to a supermarket in Clarence Road, Hartlepool.

He was taken to hospital, but died six hours later.

The Dial-a-Ride service was operated by Hartlepool Borough Council and contracted to Camerons Taxis. The police, Health and Safety Executive and Hartlepool council have launched a joint investigation into the death.

Mr Hunt, who lived at Major Cooper Court sheltered accommodation, in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, was the only passenger on board the specially-adapted taxi-bus at the time of the accident, shortly after noon on Wednesday.

The minibus had stopped outside the main entrance to the store and the driver had lowered the tail lift to allow the pensioner to alight.

A police spokesman said it appeared Mr Hunt then began reversing his electric scooter on to the lift. However, he failed to stop and drove off the back of the taxi-bus.

The spokesman said: "His vehicle hit a stopper on the floor of the tailgate, which appears to have been forced out of position by the rear wheels of his invalid carriage."

No one was available for comment from Camerons Taxis yesterday, but the driver was said to be devastated.

A Hartlepool council spokesman said: "The council and the police are working with the HSE to establish exactly what happened. Our thoughts are with the family of Mr Hunt at this very sad time."

The HSE confirmed it was investigating. Police last night urged any witnesses to come forward, especially two women in a green or turquoise Vauxhall Corsa, who stopped at the scene of the accident, but later left.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01642) 301552 or (01642) 301580.