A bus firm has told of its pride after one of its drivers helped an injured 78-year-old man get to Southmead Hospital to avoid a four-hour wait for an ambulance. Transport group First Bus, issued a statement today praising its employee, who took Philip Jones to the hospital after he was accidentally hurt by the vehicle's closing doors, which left him bleeding from his leg.
A spokesperson for First West of England said: “Our quick-thinking driver showed great empathy and common sense when he took this customer to the hospital. We are very proud of him and it’s great to hear that the customer has praised him. We will make sure to pass the customer’s praise on to the driver and celebrate this achievement. Many of our drivers are heroes in the communities we serve."
READ MORE: Injured pensioner 'told to wait four hours' at Southmead Hospital gate for an ambulance
Mr Jones said despite his ordeal, he said it was thanks to the bus driver’s quick thinking that he was able to receive the care he needed. After he was hurt, he was initially told an ambulance could take four hours to get to him.
The driver cleared his bus and drove him to the hospital gate, only to be told they faced a long wait for an ambulance, even at the gates. Eventually, Mr Jones made his own way to A&E.
READ NEXT:
- Ukraine refugees in Bristol 'can help solve' bus driver crisis
- First Bus passengers furiously brand operator a 'cancer' and want them stripped of right to run services
- Student president says First Bus cuts 'absolutely disastrous' for UWE students
- MP blasts Bristol 'bus chaos' and says public transport is 'collapsing' in the city
- First Bus just cancelled 1,450 Bristol bus services a week until at least April
