FAMILIES and medics should prevent elderly people who are incapable of driving from continuing, according to the daughter of a man who was knocked down.

Ambrose Skingle, 86, was hit by a Fiat Seicento being driven by 87-year-old Peter Cole in Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, in January.

The grandfather, from Dukes Avenue, Theydon Bois, was taken to hospital, but died a few weeks later.

Cole, of London Road, Abridge, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and making a false statement to obtain a driving licence.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard he had held onto his licence despite being advised by an optician to surrender it because his eyesight was so bad.

Mr Skingle’s daughter, Gillian Jones, 59, of Piercing Hill, Theydon Bois, said there should be a system in place where authorities were notified if a doctor or optician thought someone was unfit to drive.

“There should be some sort of connection for doctors and opticians, where they can call in with concerns,” she said.

“There should also be an element of families taking responsibility as well, however unpleasant that may be.”

She said although her father was 86 when he died, he was still fit and active and was close to her 24 and 16-year-old sons.

“While he was in the hospital, they kept saying he was so fit for his age and wouldn’t have withstood this for so long otherwise,” she added.

“He was so proud of my boys and got them interested in different things. He would have found pleasure in things they’re doing now.”

Her mother, who was suffering from cancer, died three months after her father and she said the support she and her husband had received from people in the village had helped them cope.

“I go to the Baptist church and the support we have received from our friends in the village has just been amazing,” she said. “The church was praying for us all and it really was such a help.”

• Cole was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday and was banned from driving for six years.