Tiptree crash survivor: I’ll never use public transport again

Patrick Garvey, 24, of Chestnut Way, Tiptree, broke his foot when the bus left the road.

Despite his injuries, and the precarious position of the vehicle, he remained on board to comfort a teenage girl who was trapped following the accident.

Mr Garvey said: “I could not believe what had happened.

“The girl was screaming and was caught between the seats, so I tried to help keep her calm until the ambulances arrived.”

Mr Garvey had been to the cinema in Colchester and for a couple of drinks with his brother Kevin, 27, who was also on the bus.

They took the number 75 Regal Busway vehicle from Colchester to Maldon on Friday night, before the crash at about 11.15pm, on Maldon Road.

Firefighters had to secure the vehicle, which was still on four wheels, but was in danger of toppling over. An ambulance took Mr Garvey to hospital before another was sent to pick up the teenage girl.

There were also a number of other walking wounded passengers.

Mr Garvey said: “I would have let her go first, but they were still trying to get her out, so I was taken to Colchester’s accident and emergency department.

“It was a shock and we did not have a clue what had happened.

“I was at the back and we heard a big bang and then my foot was killing me.

“Kevin was just really shaken up. I won’t be using public transport anymore.

“A few passengers were quite calm, but we couldn’t believe what had happened.

“Someone else was trying to help, but the bus was still moving about in the ditch.

“I knew it wasn't safe and stayed with the girl and then the fire brigade turned up.”

The teenage girl was taken to Broomfield Hospital about 90 minutes after the crash near the garage on Maldon Road.

Speaking at the weekend Adrian McGarry, managing director of Regal Busways, which owns the bus, said: “We are still trying to establish all of the facts.

“We just hope everyone injured makes a speedy recover.”

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.