A FUNDRAISING campaign has started to help a bus driver involved in a horrific crash.

Michael Birch, from Colchester, was driving the First bus that crashed with a flatbed lorry carrying a steam engine in East Road, West Mersea on Wednesday.

He was flown to the Royal London Hospital with life-threatening injuries and is in a stable condition.

Friend Dan Hammett has set up a fundraising website to help Mr Birch’s family while he cannot work.

He said: “It has just been a massive shock for everyone, especially his family.

“The reason we started the fundraising page was because we don’t know howmuch he will get in sick pay and his family need to get to see him in London.

“We don’t want the family to worry about anything financial at this time.”

Mr Hammett said Mr Birch was the sort of person who deserved help when he needed it.

He said: “Michael is such a genuine guy, which is quite a rare trait in a lot of people.

“I would describe him as the type of person who if he asked how you were, then he genuinely cared about the answer.

“He also does a lot of charity work and is the sort of person that deserves some help when he needs it.”

So far donations have reached more than £900 and Mr Hammett is hoping to raise £2,000.

To pledge, visit crowdfunding.just giving.com/dan-hammett