A heroic bus driver who died after swerving his double-decker out of the way of a car crash was laid to rest today as it was revealed well-wishers have raised £20,000 for his family.
Kenneth Matcham, 60, died and 15 bus passengers were injured in the crash involving two buses and a car.
A Skoda car is understood to have pulled out of a side road in Orpington, south east London, and collided with a bus around 10pm on October 31.
He is understood to have been in a second bus on the road at the same time and swerved to avoid the first crash before smashing into a front garden.
Dozens of mourners celebrated the doting grandfather’s life today at a service at Thames View Crematorium in Gravesend, Kent.
Heartbroken friends and family paid tribute to the loving father and AC/DC fan as he was put to rest.
Mourners watch on as the coffin carrying the body of heroic bus driver Kenneth Matcham makes its way through Thames View Crematorium in Gravesend, Kent today
Dozens of mourners gathered at the crematorium to pay their final respects to Mr Matcham following his death in Orpington, south-east London last month
Bus driver Kenneth Matcham (pictured left and right, with his daughter Shelley and son Ricky) died in a horrific road crash between two buses and a Skoda in Orpington
Mourners line the route into the crematorium today as a horse-drawn carriage carrying Mr Matcham’s coffin is brought through the grounds today
This was the scene of devastation following the crash between two buses and a Skoda car, reportedly a minicab, that caused Mr Matcham to lose his life
Two double-decker London buses were driven to the funeral in homage to Ken, with one bus sign reading ‘Kenneth Matcham hero bus driver’ while another said ‘Kenneth Matcham RIP’.
Ken’s coffin was donned with AC/DC, in a nod to his favourite band, and shire horses pulled floral tributes to the brave driver.
The funeral’s order of service had the band’s iconic lightning bolt on the front as another homage to the granddad’s love for the group.
Ken’s family asked for donations in his memory to be made to the London Air Ambulance.
A devoted grandfather, Mr Matcham’s actions are thought to have saved his passengers who were trapped inside the buses and had to be freed by emergency services.
His heartbroken daughter Shelley Gardner said he had phoned her just before he set off on his route that fatal night on October 31.
Ms Gardner told MailOnline at the time: ‘He was on his break and called me to ask me if I’d taken the kids out trick or treating. I told him that I had and he said ‘where’s my pictures then?’
‘I sent them after I’d spoken to him. I made the kids get back in their Halloween outfits to take photos and send to dad and I’m so glad that I did that.
Two double-decker London buses were driven to the funeral in homage to Ken, with one bus sign reading ‘Kenneth Matcham hero bus driver’ while another said ‘Kenneth Matcham RIP’
Ken’s coffin was donned with AC/DC, in a nod to his favourite band, and shire horses pulled floral tributes to the brave driver
A floral wreath styled as a number plate carrying the words ‘Ken UK’ made an appearance at the service today in Gravesend, Kent
Heartbroken friends and family watched on as Mr Matcham’s coffin was carried through the grounds. Those in attendance paid tribute to the loving father and AC/DC fan as he was put to rest
Witnesses of the crash in October say the two buses were travelling in opposite directions when the car pulled out of a side road
‘He always complained that I never sent him a Christmas card on time so I told him that I’d gone out and bought one on Monday. He laughed and said “it’s only October”.’
The driver of the Skoda was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous and drug diving following the incident. He remains under investigation, Scotland Yard said today.
Shocking photos from the crash earlier this month showed the wreckage of the buses being recovered from the road, which was strewn with shards of metal and glass.
Bushes had been partly destroyed after the bus swerved and smashed into the fence in an elderly couple’s front garden.
Bus drivers paid tribute to Ken outside his depot in Orpington by holding a moments silence on the day after he died.
A Justgiving page set up by one of Kenneth’s colleagues, Sheldon Malcolm, has now raised £20,000 for his grieving family.
He wrote: ‘We stand united in our grief and offer our condolences to Kenneth’s family and friends.’
A devoted grandfather, Mr Matcham’s actions are thought to have saved his passengers who were trapped inside the buses and had to be freed by emergency services