Tributes paid to 'world's shortest bus driver' from Havant after his sudden death

Frank Hachem, from Havant, suddenly died on Tuesday and it came as a ‘huge shock’ across Stagecoach.

His funeral was due to take place today at midday, at Kingston Cemetary, Portsmouth.

Colin Ashcroft, operations manager for Stagecoach in Portsmouth, said: ‘He was the most inspirational and friendliest man, showing that disability is no barrier, and one who was proud to serve the community.’

Frank joined Stagecoach in February 2017, as a bus driver based at Chichester depot, and became a familiar face in the area.

He later transferred to Portsmouth depot in September 2018.

Iraqi-born Frank, who became a British citizen in 1996, had previously worked in various roles around the area including hotel and export company management, foreign exchange business and CCTV operator, before joining Stagecoach.

His proudest moment during his time at Stagecoach South was gaining the Guinness World Record title for the Worlds Shortest Bus Driver in 2018.

At the time Frank, who had achondroplasia - a common form of dwarfism – and measured 136.2cm, said: ‘I enjoy my passengers, I enjoy my colleagues, my friends, all the people that are around me.

SEE ALSO: Dwarf bus driver from Havant enters Guinness Book of Records

‘Being a short person, of course you’ve got difficulties. But I am a fighter, I never give up, and I always make sure I get on with things.’

The father-of-two said his family were ‘excited and proud’ of his achievement.

Mr Ashcroft said: ‘Despite only being with us since 2017, Frank’s great personality earned him many good friends amongst his colleagues and customers.

‘It is clear from social media tributes across this week how much Frank meant to his Stagecoach friends at Portsmouth and Chichester depots and even across Stagecoach South empire as a whole.

‘Frank very much enjoyed being part of the Portsmouth and Stagecoach team, and even took part in a television documentary about his journey and ultimately his most famous achievement of being in the Guiness book of records.

‘An inspiration to us all, Frank was proud to serve Stagecoach and our communities and without doubt he leaves many happy memories amongst his Stagecoach friends and colleagues and he will fondly be remembered as the little man with a big heart that captured us all.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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