Tributes to ‘spirited’ nurse and long-serving busman who died with coronavirus

Tributes were paid today to a nurse and a bus driver from London who have both lost their lives while suffering from coronavirus symptoms.

Donald Suelto, who worked at Hammersmith Hospital, died after going into self-isolation.

He was described as a “spirited friend with a loving heart” who “loved his NHS job” by his friend and fellow nurse Alejandro Fernandez.

Last month, Mr Suelto had changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of himself wearing a protective mask with the words: “I can’t stay at home, I’m a healthcare worker.”

Grant Kellman, 76, was one of London’s longest-serving bus drivers. He died with suspected Covid-19 on March 28, a week after falling ill.

A tribute to him was posted on the wall of the garage where he worked in Uxbridge by manager Stavros Heracleous.

“Grant was our longest-serving driver with 53 years experience,” he wrote.

“A pleasant character, always willing to help and was very well respected. He will be fondly remembered and his passing is a huge loss to our team.”

His daughter Donna Kellman told Sky News she wanted to be with her father in his final moments but was not allowed to visit him in hospital.

She said: “He was alone and I didn’t get to see him. I just hope he wasn’t scared.”

Conservative mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey called for drivers to be provided with masks and gloves.

He said passengers should also be required to wear masks and urged more intensive cleaning of buses between journeys.

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