A driver and a woman passenger desperately tried to save the life of a 14-year-old boy who died after an asthma attack as he travelled home on a bus.

Matthew Douglas died after he was taken ill on his way home to Moorthorpe Avenue, Thornbury, on Sunday night.

The driver of the Bradford Traveller bus had to stop at a public phone box to call for an ambulance because his cab radio was not working.

The ambulance service gave first aid advice over the phone to the driver and a woman passenger as they desperately tried to save the boy's life until an ambulance arrived .

An emergency medical team at Bradford Royal Infirmary tragically failed to revive Matthew.

Today, the family of Matthew, a pupil at St Bede's School, paid tribute to the plucky youngster who had bounced back from other frequent asthma attacks and loved his skateboard.

His sister Anne-Marie, 21, said: "He was special and everyone loved him. Hundreds of people knew him. He always bounced back. He was a livewire and he was a charmer. People called him little Dougie."

Matthew had suffered from asthma since he was about seven. His mother Mary said Matthew attended hospital and saw doctors about his attacks. She had believed he was getting better.

She said Matthew always carried his inhaler and knew when he was going to have an attack.

Matthew's aunt Angela Dawe said: "We want to thank the bus driver and the lady who helped and would like to see them."

Today, Mohammed Taj of the busmen's branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union said they were deeply sorry about the tragedy and the driver was distraught.

"He knew the boy as he had been on the bus before and says he was an absolutely wonderful youngster.

"We are now pressing for first aid courses for the drivers and want an inquiry into why the radio wasn't working."

First Bradford Marketing Officer Brandon Jones said: "We are very saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

"We are investigating the matter. The driver is very upset and until we have all the facts we cannot comment further."

A West Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We have a system now where we can give information over the telephone while the ambulance is despatched."

Matthew's funeral will be held on Thursday at 10.15am at St Clare's Church, Moorside Road, Fagley.

Several hundred people die from asthma each year and it is regarded as a serious condition. The number of children suffering from asthma has risen from ten per cent several years ago to 15 per cent.

About half of all cases are caused by allergy, including dust and pollen. Pollution through traffic and smoking are also believed to play a large part.

But Telegraph & Argus doctor Tom Smith said it could also be triggered by contact with a virus, such as a cold.

It is caused by a chronic condition in the lung - and many people grow out of it as adults. An attack is caused by a spasm to a bronchial tube and inflammation of the lung. It can be controlled by inhalers but Dr Smith says a person suffering from a severe asthma attack should be taken to hospital as soon as possible.

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