A WOOD GREEN bus driver who burned to death in Palmers Green was a "private and low-key person", according to his shocked boss.

In a horrifying turn of events, a charred corpse found in Palmers Green on July 7, was identified as 53-year-old Haringey resident Kester David.

His body was so severely burned that it took more than two weeks of extensive DNA testing that he was identified.

Mr David, of Russell Avenue, had worked for Arriva bus garage in Wood Green for the past ten years.

He was wearing his uniform when he died, a detective on the case confirmed after fibres were found on his body.

General manager Peter Mhagrh said: "It is difficult to talk about this, because Kester was a very private and low-key person. He would have absolutely hated being talked about.

"He was a good employee and had worked with us for ten years. He kept his head down, got on with his job and was well-liked by those who knew him."

Mr Mhagrh added: "I was very sad to hear the news".

It is not known if Mr David was married or had any kids, and another of his colleagues said he believed Mr David lived alone in shared accommodation.

Detective Inspector John Cardow, investigating the mysterious death, said: "The man has got there under his own steam. That is why it is being treated as unexplained."

He added: "We know he wasn’t assaulted, he didn’t have a scratch on him, other than the fact that he was horribly burned.

"The indication is he wasn’t there long – just a few hours - as there are a lot of foxes around but he was untouched."

DI Cardow said investigators had not ruled out suicide, but were continuing their enquiries.

His next of kin have been informed.

A post-mortem held at Haringey Mortuary on July 8 gave cause of death to be a combination of burns and inhalation of fumes from a flammable liquid such as petrol.

An inquest was opened and adjourned at North London Coroners Court, in Barnet, yesterday.

No date has been set for a full inquest to be heard.

Anyone who can help can call Detective Sergeant Chris Kirk at Enfield CID on 020 8345 4335, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.