It has been three years since the death of heroic bus driver Nana Boateng, whose passing was this week marked by First West of England.

The bus company created a replica of a dedication plaque on the side of a bus in Bath for his daughter, Eliza, who lives with her Mum in Calne.

Nana, who was hailed as a local hero after using his bus to protect a woman he found lying in the road, died tragically in a car crash on Christmas Eve 2017.

First West of England have held a virtual ceremony to unveil the commemorative message on the side of one of their newly painted Service 5 buses and presented the family with something special to keep.

The original message dedicated to him was unveiled in 2018, and the ceremony was attended by members of his family and his colleagues from First West of England. The original bus, however, has now been taken out of service, so a new bus has been re-dedicated in Nana’s honour.

During the virtual unveiling of the newly re-dedicated bus, James Freeman, Managing Director of First West of England, presented Eliza with a replica of the dedication on a plaque that the family can keep, as well as a photograph of the original bus with the dedication.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

The message, which sits below the driver’s side window, reads “Nana Boateng 1977 – 2017” with the words “missed by all” and “Winner of the Heart of Bath Extra Mile Award” underneath.

Eliza, aged eight, has said that she wants to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a bus driver when she grows up.

Eliza’s grandmother, Tracey Robinson, said “Eliza loves seeing the message that is dedicated to her Dad.

“She has told us that she wants to grow up to do what her Dad did and be able to help people just like him. It is a wonderful tribute from First Bus that Eliza can now also have a reminder of this message that we can keep with us.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

James Freeman, Managing Director of First West of England, said "We have kept in touch with Nana’s family over the years and it is an honour to be able to re-commemorate him in this way and gift this plaque to his daughter.

"Nana was an incredibly kind and brave individual who always had a smile on his face. I know he is still missed by colleagues and customers alike.”