Bus driver’s dramatic collapse at wheel and airlift is shown on TV
A BUS driver who was airlifted to hospital after he collapsed at the wheel had his story told on television last night.
Ian Batty, 56, was driving the Arriva service between Wakefield and Wetherby when he passed out near Barwick-in- Elmet.
His bus mounted an embankment before coming to a halt, resting at a dangerous angle.
But, thanks to a passing van driver who placed his vehicle by the side of the bus, all passengers were able to get out safely with only a few minor cuts and bruises.
Both Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters were dispatched to the scene and joined emergency services who rescued Mr Batty from his cab.
Mr Batty, from Stanley in Wakefield, said: “It all happened right out of the blue.
“I had had no signs or symptoms that anything was wrong but, basically, I just went very light headed.
“I thought I am going to have to stop the bus and I was apparently pressing the brake pedal when I passed out.”
The father-of-two was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary and tests later revealed an undiagnosed heart condition which has now been treated with the fitting of a pacemaker.
Mr Batty, who has been a bus driver for 10 years, has nothing but praise for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, a charity that is close to his heart already as son Chris is a volunteer for the rapid response emergency service.
He added: “We run bus services out to The Dales on a Sunday and Bank Holidays which quite often take serious walkers and I hold collections twice a year for the Air Ambulance, thinking these are the people who are likely to need the service.
I never imagined I would ever need to be airlifted to hospital and I am very grateful. They are a fantastic service and are very much our family charity now.”
Mr Batty’s accident, which happened last December, featured on
on UKTV, which is made by York-based Air Television.