THE family of a pensioner who was killed after the camper van he was repairing collapsed on him have paid tribute to him.

Dennis Moon was taking the old van off its jacks in a yard in Cromwell Street, Hartlepool, when it moved and crushed him underneath.

Workers at nearby industrial units found the 74-year-old 20 minutes later and tried to resuscitate him before the police, paramedics and doctors from the Great North Air Ambulance arrived.

However he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family said he died doing what he loved most" and said he "refused to grow old and loved life".