BUS drivers have paid tribute to a much-loved friend and colleague who was the “life and soul of the party” a week after he died in a crash.

At 4.50pm yesterday afternoon, First bus drivers in Weymouth and Portland stopped to observe a minute’s silence for James Patrick Spelman, a bus driver who sadly died in a crash on Portland at that time last Tuesday.

A group of bus drivers who were close friends of Mr Spelman’s – known by many as ‘Scouse’ – also visited the scene of the crash, on New Road yesterday, to lay flowers exactly a week on from the tragedy.

They were joined by some members of Mr Spelman’s family.

Police stopped traffic to allow a short ceremony at the spot to take place.

One of the bus drivers who attended was David Simonds, who worked alongside Mr Spelman for more than 12 years.

“Scouse was full of life,” said Mr Simonds. “He was a big guy with a big heart and a big laugh. He was a close friend to all of us. So many of us have been hit very, very hard by this.”

Mr Simonds recounted the moment he heard the news of Mr Spelman’s death.

“Once news got out there was a crash involving a bus I got a lot of texts asking me if I was okay, as did all the other bus drivers. But I knew instantly who it was and it hit me hard. It hit us all hard.

“We are like a family here. Everyone looks after everyone else. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”

Mr Simonds celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday but the mood was a sombre one.

Along with about 30 of his colleagues, he paid tribute to Mr Spelman, an avid Liverpool fan, with a toast and a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

“We were all breaking down in tears,” said Mr Simonds. “We all had our Liverpool ties on as football was a big part of his life. He would have been smiling up there, laughing and joking at us.”

He added: “The whole garage wants to go to his funeral. That’s how well-loved he was. He’s going to be missed by so many people.”