THE daughter of a man who died after he was crushed by his own car is calling for two men who tried to save him to be given a bravery award.

Former Army gunner and school caretaker James Watson died in hospital four weeks after an horrific accident in Colchester.

Mr Watson, 71, who lived in the town, was trapped after he was dragged under his Peugeot 308 in Ariel Close.

He had been battling for his life in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, after sustaining several fractures and breaks to his ribs, pelvis, leg, ankle and hip.

Two days later he started to develop complications.

He was suffering liver failure, contracted sepsis and pneumonia so medics let him slip away with his family’s consent.

Daughter Corrinne Wright, 46, said: “We had a meeting with the doctors and decided there was nothing more they could do for him. We made a family decision and all the family were there.

“It was as dad would have wanted.”

Because of the circumstances of the death following the incident, an inquest took place.

Mrs Wright, of Hadleigh, Essex, said the cause was sepsis, multiple organ failure and trauma.

Mrs Wright was told during the incident, on March 16, two men jacked the car to take the pressure off her dad.

He had jumped in front of the car to try to stop it from rolling but got dragged underneath.

The men were later identified as Stuart Symons, 30, from Old Heath in Colchester and his friend Josh Stant.

Mrs Wright said: “Once they saw the car taking him out, they stopped, got a jack out of the car and got the car off him.”

The efforts of the men meant Mr Watson was able to talk to his daughter and she told him she loved him.

Mrs Wright has contacted the men to tell them her dad has died.

She added: “I have contacted Essex Police for them to be nominated for a bravery award.”

Mr Watson moved to Colchester in the 1980s following a 20-year career in the Army in the 40th Field Regiment Royal Artillery., completing tours of Northern Ireland and Germany.

He then worked as a caretaker for King’s Ford schools - now Iceni Academy – in Shrub End, Colchester, for about ten years. He also managed two football teams - Priory Rangers and Boadicea Dynamos.

Mr Watson had a long-term companion, Jane, another daughter Joanne, and three stepdaughters Sarah, Fiona and Anne, plus eight grandchildren.

Mrs Wright added: “He was very caring, he lived for his kids and grandkids and was always tinkering with classic cars - he had a Ford Anglia Prefect.

“We can’t really believe he is not here anymore. Distraught would be the word I would use to describe how we are all feeling.

“It is a tragic accident and we all feel Dad’s life’s been taken away too soon.”

Mr Watson’s funeral takes place at the Colchester Garrison Church on May 2 at 11am and will be followed by a private burial.