But Keith Alexander's working life will be remembered for one particular event... helping remove the double decker bus which sank in a hole on Earlham Road.

Mr Alexander, who has died at the age of 82, played a prominent role in the operation to recover the stricken Number 26 Eastern Counties bus after it was swallowed up by a crater created a collapsing chalk mine.

The incident, in 1988, made headlines around the world, with Mr Alexander's involvement highlighted.

Such was his skill, the vehicle was returned to the bus company in one piece.

Keith Alexander ahead of his retirement from Norfolk Recovery (Image: Newsquest)

Born on August 20, 1943, Keith grew up in Mile Cross living with grandparents Albert and Ellen Long on Avonmouth Road.

He attended the Norman School, and spent his childhood exploring the neighbourhood while getting into good-natured mischief with friends.

His entrepreneurial spirit appeared early — from paper rounds to selling odds and ends — and he was always eager to earn a few shillings.

Aged 16, Keith began an apprenticeship at a local garage where he discovered his lifelong passion for mechanics.

Keith Alexander helped rescue the bus out of the hole in Earlham Road (Image: Courtesy of family)

Also around this time, he bought his first motorcycle and became a proud “Buttlery Boy” - one of the young men who gathered at the Buttlery Café on the Boundary roundabout – with slicked-back hair and a leather jacket inspired by Elvis Presley.

But a serious motorcycle accident soon after changed Keith’s life, costing him one of his legs.

This challenge came to define his remarkable determination as he learnt to walk again with an artificial leg.

Once on the road to recovery, he returned to the garage industry to continue his training.

Keith’s resilience and optimism became the........

© Eastern Daily Press