A COACH full of passengers had a lucky escape on Friday night after the driver of their bus fainted at the wheel.

Twenty people travelling on a Megabus service between Cwmbran and Birmingham were left unhurt after the incident on the M40 near Monmouth, thanks to the quick thinking of a fellow passenger who noticed something was wrong and brought the bus to a safe stop on the central reservation.

The man, an off-duty Megabus driver from the Rugby area, has been praised by his employers and a Megabus spokesman said he would be rewarded for his actions with an award from the company.

The spokesman said: “He did a fantastic job and averted what could have been a more serious incident."

The incident happened on the A40 around 9pm, when the 7.50pm service from Cwmbran to Birmingham and Rugby was passing through Dingestow.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene, and Gwent Police said the northbound carriageway was shut for a short period of time.

Wales Ambulance Service said the male driver, who is also from Rugby, was taken to Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall hospital by ambulance for tests, but Megabus said he was later allowed to go home.

None of the 20 passengers on board the bus were injured, and a replacement bus service took them on to Birmingham and Rugby.

Megabus said it was now working with Gwent Police, who are conducting an investigation into the incident, as well as carrying out their own internal investigation.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Praise for driver

THE actions of an off-duty bus driver who brought a runaway bus to a standstill when the driver fainted must be praised today.

Not one person was injured thanks to the quick-thinking of the man when the Megabus service between Cwmbran and Birmingham hit trouble on the M40 near Monmouth.

What could have happened had this man not acted so fast doesn’t bear thinking about.

His company say he will be rewarded for his efforts.

We’re certain the 20 passengers on board would also like to thank this man for incredible show of skill.