Pensioner Praised For Runaway Bus Rescue

A pensioner grabbed the wheel of a bus and steered it to safety after the vehicle's driver passed out.

Alfred Throop said he felt like he was in a "scene from James Bond" as he took control of the vehicle from the unconscious driver.

The 67-year-old, who has not driven for 12 years, managed to manoeuvre the bus around cars and pedestrians and turn it to the side of the road, where it hit metal railings and stopped.

Mr Throop was preparing to get off the Arriva bus at his stop in Northfields, Leicester, when it began to swerve and hit a van.

The retired hospital porter said: "I noticed he was slowing down and swerving a bit, so I went to ask the driver if he was okay but he didn't respond. Then I saw he had blacked out.

"I was looking for the brake but I couldn't find a way to get to it so I grabbed the wheel and steered it away from the cars and the people and turned it to the kerb."

Leicestershire police have praised his bravery during the incident on Thursday.

A spokeswoman said: "Thanks to Mr Throop's brave actions, he managed to prevent further damage and any serious injury to members of the public."

Mr Throop's wife, Sylvia, 72, said: "He did a wonderful job, but he's like that. If he sees someone needing help when we're out, he always stops to lend a hand."