A pensioner who made headlines when he was re-united with three teenagers who helped him after a fall has died.

Richard Kimble passed away surrounded by his family after a massive stroke at his home in Gillingham.

His son Russell paid tribute to his beloved father, saying: "Anyone who knew him would realise he epitomised the word gentleman.

"He was the most gentle, lovely soul you could ever meet."

He added: "In his later years he spent his time looking after his world, my mum. I'm going to miss him so much.

"I want to thank him for all has done for me over the years and all the sacrifices he made to ensure me and my brothers had the best education, the best holidays and lived our best lives. He was such a selfless man. No one could be prouder of him than me.

"We are going to take care of mum is his absence but we will never fill his boots."

Tfl worker Russell joined his dad just last month in meeting Owen Edwards, Nathan Pennock and Harry James from The Howard School in Rainham, who helped Richard after he collapsed in the street.

They gave him water and carried his shopping home, before seeing him safely indoors.

The 81-year-old praised them for their actions saying he did not know what would have happened if they were not there.

Russell rewarded them with a £50 Amazon voucher and a handwritten thank-you note.

He thinks it was this fall which was connected to his dad's final stroke.

"He did make a recovery but fell over a couple of times since," he added.

Former civil servant Richard was surrounded by his wife, Eileen, 76, Russell, and his other two sons, Adrian and Kevin, when he died.

He lived in Chatham, Dover and Rainham after marrying in 1971 and spent a lot of his time caring for his wife, who suffers with COPD and rheumatoid arthritis.

He also enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren and volunteering at the Sunburst Bookshop in Station Road, Rainham.

Russell said: "He had the stroke at home but his heart stopped on the way to the hospital.

"Paramedics brought him back and took him straight to intensive care. The staff were amazing and did everything they could, showing compassion and keeping him comfortable.

"Unfortunately the stroke was just too much for him to fight."