A GROUP of teenagers were today praised after helping a bus driver who collapsed at the side of the road with a suspected heart attack.The six youngsters, aged about 17 to 19, immediately got off the bus to see what they could do for the man - covering him up with a jacket, phoning emergency help and talking to him to reassure him.

A GROUP of teenagers were today praised after helping a bus driver who collapsed at the side of the road with a suspected heart attack.

The six youngsters, aged about 17 to 19, immediately got off the bus to see what they could do for the man - covering him up with a jacket, phoning emergency help and talking to him to reassure him.

Other passengers on the vehicle also did what they could to help while they waited for paramedics to arrive.

After treatment, the driver - who has not been named - was able to return to the bus to reassure everyone he was all right before being taken to Ipswich Hospital for a check-up.

Passenger Mary West said the incident happened on the No 76 bus from Ipswich to Felixstowe as it reached the Shepherd and Dog stop at Nacton.

“It didn't look as if he was feeling very well at the stop before, and then when we reached the Shepherd and Dog he got off the bus and stood holding his left arm, then doubled up and fell onto the pavement,” said Mrs West, 67, of Chatsworth Crescent, Trimley St Mary.

“The lads raced off the bus to see what they could do.

“One of them placed a donkey jacket sort of coat over him and another was on the phone and they were all talking to him. I think they were absolutely brilliant and so mature.

“Youngsters have so many bad things said about them, but I was really impressed by the attitude of this group - they didn't panic and all they wanted to do was help in any way they could and look after him.”

Mrs West said the driver recovered after treatment by the paramedics and came back onto the bus to switch off the engine. Passengers got off and onto the next service, which had by then arrived.

Gussy Alamein, marketing and communications manager for First Eastern Counties Buses Limited, said: “There was an incident involving one of our drivers who felt unwell.

“The actions of the passengers were commendable as they quickly summoned first-aid assistance.”

Do you know the driver or the youngsters involved? Call the Evening Star Felixstowe Newsdesk on 01394 284109.

Have you helped out in an emergency? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk>