A BUS driver who nearly died in a freak accident has spoken of his ambition to get back to the job he loves.

Michael Birch suffered life-threatening injuries after a 15 tonne traction engine smashed into his bus.

But just five months on, he said he is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel.

Father-of-four Mr Birch’s right side took the full force when the engine fell off the lorry on to him.

His injuries included: l his bowel left protruding from his stomach l two broken shoulders, right arm, right hip and rib l punctured lungs l fractured pelvis and face l lost part of his right hand l shards of glass in his face, eyes and ears.

Paramedics say a combination of Mr Birch’s small build and the fact he was driving an older bus, which had a bigger cab, helped save his life.

The First driver, who lives in Magnolia Drive, Colchester, said: “I slid under the dash slightly and being little, I was a harder target.”

He went in and out of consciousness before the Essex Air Ambulance flew him to the Royal London Hospital and can now recall little of the crash.

He said: “I remember waking up and the bus was a mess. I looked down and saw my stomach and then I blacked out.

“Then I remember waking up in the intensive care unit four days later.”

Michael was in hospital for a month and underwent seven operations including a skin graft from his thigh on to his right hand and using a piece of his hip bone to repair his index finger.

But now Michael, 44, is striding towards a full recovery.

He will have an operation on the tendon in his right hand but hopes to regain 80 to 90 per cent of its use.

Physiotherapist Fern Gilfillan, the wife of friend and fellow bus driver Simon Gilfillan, is helping Michael with his rehabilitation.

Michael said: “My main aim is to get back behind the wheel of the car - the bus will come later.

“I have been lucky, I don’t have flashbacks or dreams. It could have been worse. It could have been my legs or I could not be here.”

Wife Gemma added: “The first few days I did cry a lot but I don’t know how we managed to hold it together.

“We have just celebrated our 12 year anniversary on February 14 and it was really special.”

Michael visited the depot yesterday.

Shan Infanti, who has worked with Michael for 15 years, said: “When we found out about the accident, it was horrendous. I felt sick to my stomach.

“It is so nice to see him back here.”