THE FAMILY of a loved father-of-three have paid an emotional tribute after he was left dying on a bus from Dunfermline for almost five hours. 

Gavin Wudinge suffered a heart attack half an hour after boarding a Stagecoach bus heading from Dunfermline to Leven at around lunchtime on December 23.

The 31-year-old slumped down on his seat at 1.36pm on the middle of the bus after boarding at 1.09pm.

The driver failed to spot him as the bus terminated its service in Leven.

He was left alone for more than one hour and a half, before travelling to Edinburgh after a driver change, where he was eventually found without a heartbeat by a passenger.

An ambulance was called at 6.00pm and paramedics were able to restart his heart after 30 minutes before he was taken to hospital. He tragically passed away on Boxing Day with his family by his bedside.

Mr Wudinge's cousin, Derrick Dodo, told the Press that he would be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He said: "He was a family man and he was well-loved with three beautiful girls. We have so many great memories of him.

"It was a massive shock to us and it's a massive loss to everyone. Especially for his kids and at the time of year it happened. 

"The doctors were going to turn the machine off on Christmas Day, but they were able to keep him on life support so his mum could come over from Ireland on Boxing Day to say goodbye. It was very difficult.

"At least his daughters could have Christmas with him. They're quite young kids so we have to stick together now to get through this."

Police have launched an investigation into his death but do not believe there is any suspicious circumstances.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police in Edinburgh were informed of the death of a 31-year-old man, who passed away within the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on Monday December 26, having been found seriously ill on a bus at Edinburgh Bus Station on Friday December 23.

"Inquiries are ongoing, however, there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding this death and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal."

His family were shown CCTV footage from the bus and have questioned why neither driver found him sooner.

A spokeswoman for Stagecoach said: "A passenger on one of our services on 23 December was discovered in a serious medical condition upon arrival in Edinburgh. Our driver alerted bus station staff who contacted the emergency services. 

"Our thoughts are with the family of the young man involved and we are providing any assistance that we can to the police who are looking into the circumstances."

Mr Wudinge's funeral will be held at Dunfermline Cemetery tomorrow (Friday).