THE man who died in a bus crash in York phoned his girlfriend to tell her he was on his way home moments before the fatal accident.

Mohamed Mahmoud Hussein Eltahtawy, 49, was killed when a bus travelling from the Ikon and Diva nightclub smashed into the partition wall of The Churchill Hotel, in Bootham, and then struck the parapet of a nearby railway bridge, early on Friday.

Carol Knowles, 46, of Haxby, said she had only recently struck up a relationship with Mr Eltahtawy, a father of three, but the pair had already discussed a future together in London.

Miss Knowles said she had "had words" with Mr Eltahtawy on Friday night, while drinking in York, and he had gone to Ikon and Diva.

She was waiting for him at the Hilton Lodge, a guesthouse in Wigginton Road where Mr Eltahtawy was living, when he called her mobile phone from the bus and left a voicemail message.

At 1.43am, Mr Eltahtawy had said: "Hello love, it's me. I'm coming back home now. Take care of yourself. Bye now."

The fatal crash happened only seven minutes later.

Miss Knowles said she was devastated by his death.

"You couldn't have met a nicer man," she said. "He was so happy and so full of fun. He was my prince."

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press, James Christopher Genton, 21, of Rowntree Avenue, Clifton, appeared before magistrates yesterday in connection with Mr Eltahtawy's death. He was remanded in custody to appear at York Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Eltahtawy's close friends today paid tribute to the "larger than life" character.

Peter Hill, 48, who met Mr Eltahtawy eight years ago, said: "He had a magnetic charm and was very charismatic. His sense of humour was superb."

Ronald Pethick, 35, had once been Mr Eltahtawy's neighbour.

"He loved life and he lived it to the full," said Mr Pethick. "His main interest was people. He couldn't stay in and not do anything. He had to go out and meet people and talk to them. I never saw him without a smile on his face. He will be really missed by everyone."

Miss Knowles said she was keen to contact the passer-by who held Mr Eltahtawy's hand when he died, to thank him.

If you are the passer-by, or know who he is, contact Charlotte Percival on 01904 653051 (extension 315) or charlotte.percival@ycp.co.uk.

Updated: 10:57 Tuesday, April 20, 2004