Family and friends have paid tribute to a former school caretaker dragged to his death under a lorry.

Maurice Baxter, 80, of Longheath Gardens, Ashburton, was "always caring and always wanted to help people", his son said yesterday.

Mr Baxter, a former caretaker at Ashburton Junior School, was killed on Thursday after being hit by an articulated lorry as he crossed Wellesley Road, near the junction of Station Road.

He was struck moments after speaking to two friends having just stepped off a bus.

The pensioner died at the scene despite firefighters battling to free him from under the lorry's wheels.

His son Gordon said: "Everyone is in shock and they just cannot believe it.

"He was always caring and always wanted to help people.

"He was always thinking of others rather than himself."

Denise Barry, a former colleague of Mr Baxter at Ashburton Junior School, now known as Oasis Academy Shirley Park, said: "He was a kind, gentle man that everybody respected.  

"He always had time for staff and children alike and was always smiling.  We were all saddened to hear of his horrific death."

Sylvia Burton, a friend of Mr Baxter, added: "Maurice was a lovely man and very well-known.

"He was smart and always wore a suit and a trilby when out and in his later years was a regular at Longheath community centre." 

Mourners from a nearby funeral at St Mary's Catholic Church  and supermarket staff were first on the scene after the fatal collision.

Your Local Guardian:

Firefighters attempted to free Mr Baxter from under the lorry

Karthik Selvam, 27, team leader at a nearby Tesco Express, called 999 after a colleague alerted him to the collision, which happened at about 2.30pm last Thursday.

He said: "I heard something had happened and went to see. He was right underneath the truck. When I saw him I knew he was completely gone.

"It was horrible. 

"I feel so sorry for his family. It is so sad."

The lorry driver stopped at the scene and was not arrested.

Detectives have appealed for witnesses to the collision, at the junction with Station Road, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the witness appeal line on 020 8285 1574.