'Thomas' creator Mitton dead at 69

LONDON, June 13 (UPI) -- David Mitton, one of the creators of the iconic children's television series "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends," has died of a heart attack in London.

He was 69.

His death was announced by Michele Fabian-Jones, one of Mitton's partners in the children's television production company Pineapple Squared Entertainment, The New York Times said.

Mitton, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, directed or wrote more than 180 episodes of "Thomas the Tank Engine," dating back to 1984.

Originally called "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends," the show's name was later shortened to "Thomas and Friends" for British television.

It made its debut in the United States in 1989 as "Shining Time Station" on PBS.

"He was a fanatic about planes and boats and obsessed with comedy shows," Fabian-Jones told the Times. "That's where it all started."

Before his tenure with "Thomas," Mitton worked on the TV shows "Joe 90," "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons" and "Thunderbirds."

Mitton is survived by his second wife, the former Joan Ferris; three sisters -- Penny, Shan and Juliet; a brother, Michael; and a son, Jonathan, by his first wife, Judy, the Times said.