A MAN who died saving his stepson when a car crashed into the bus shelter where they were waiting was last night hailed a hero by his devastated family.

The seven-year-old is recovering in hospital after being pulled from the wreckage of a collapsed bus shelter - in which his stepfather and another man died.

Michael Logan, 28, and 51-year-old Ernie Wilkinson were confirmed dead on arrival at hospital after the concrete roof collapsed on them when a car collided with the shelter.

But Mr Logan saved the life of his stepson, Craig, by throwing himself over the schoolboy as the shelter collapsed.

Rescuers were able to free Craig from the rubble of the shelter, in East Rainton, near Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside. He was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, suffering head, body and leg injuries, described as "not life threatening".

Members of his family were yesterday at his bedside in hospital. Last night, his condition was "satisfactory".

Mr Logan's wife, 32-year-old Michelle, was said to be "devastated" and too distraught to speak about the accident.

Her mother, Catherine Morrison, said: "Michael died a very, very brave man. That's all we know at the moment."

Mr Logan and his stepson, both from East Rainton, were on their way to a junior football match and only stood at the shelter after missing a bus at a stop further along Durham Road.

Mr Wilkinson, a bachelor who lived alone in the village, was believed to be bound for a grocery trip to Houghton-le-Spring.

Witnesses described how a car, travelling eastbound on Durham Road, swerved to avoid children crossing the road, mounted the kerb, before striking and demolishing the shelter.

The driver, a 26-year-old local woman, was unconscious as she was helped from the badly damaged car. She came round and was also taken to hospital.

Martin Lowther, 15, whose bedroom overlooks the stop, was woken by the noise of the crash.

He alerted his father, Brian, and went with him from their home, in Handley Crescent.

Martin said: "There were two men under the roof of the shelter, and one of them was lying over the boy.

"It looked like the man pushed the boy into the corner and lay across him. The boy was still conscious and they managed to get him out.

"It was only when the fire engines came that they lifted the roof of the bus shelter off the two men by using air bags and a winch."

Witnesses to the accident, at about 8.15am on Saturday, are asked to ring the police 0191-454 7555.