A BUS driver who came to the rescue of an injured pensioner in Minehead has been handed an award for his selfless act.

Craig Hudson, 38, told passengers to stay seated while he rushed to lend a hand after hearing a call for help as he dropped someone off near the Ellicombe roundabout.

The man had fallen down an embankment and fractured his leg in two places while walking his dog and had been lying there for more than half an hour.

Finding the leg wasn’t bleeding and still had good circulation, Craig supported the pensioner from behind as he helped him sit upright to ease the pressure while the passenger who had just left the bus called an ambulance and the man’s neighbour.

Happy that the man was in capable hands when the neighbour arrived, Craig returned to his bus to continue the rest of his journey as normal.

He has won the First employee Superstar Award after the pensioner called the company to nominate him and thank him for his help.

Craig said: “I feel very humble to have won this just for being caring. I did what anyone would have done in my situation. I am glad he has made a full recovery.”

Carol Groves, general manager for First Somerset and Avon, said: “We are very proud of Craig for the leadership he displayed as a driver and keeping a cool head in a crisis. He is a truly professional driver.”

For winning the monthly regional Superstars award Craig received £100 in high street shopping vouchers and goes forward to the regional Superstars finals, which take place each year in May.

To find out more about the First Bus Superstar scheme or to nominate a First employee for an award call into a First travel shop or log onto www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/ superstars