Claim bus driver slumped at wheel

BUS ÉIREANN is investigating an incident on a Limerick-Dublin bus last week in which it is claimed a passenger brought the vehicle to a stop after the driver went unconscious at the steering wheel.

The incident happened at approximately 8am on Friday near Naas between junctions 10 and 11 of the M7. According to Mosharaf Hossain, who was travelling on the vehicle at the time of the incident, the bus veered out of control after the driver appeared to slump over the steering wheel.

Mr Hossain said he took control of the wheel and brought the bus to a stop at the side of the road. He said the vehicle seemed to hit another car and a barrier before he was able to bring it to a halt.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene and the driver was able to walk to an ambulance. He is undergoing a full medical examination.

While Bus Éireann could not confirm the details, it has opened an investigation and is in the process of taking statements from the 15 people who were on the bus.

There was no significant damage and a follow-up examination by gardaí found no faults with the vehicle. It has since been released back to Bus Éireann for use in service.

A statement issued by Bus Éireann yesterday afternoon said it was “always very grateful” for any assistance from customers “on the rare occasions that such incidents occur”.

Once the investigation was complete, the company said that any customer who was found to have helped would receive due recognition.