'Heroic' bus driver gave CPR to collapsed man

A "genuinely heroic" bus driver who performed CPR on a man who complained of heart pain and collapsed has received an award.

Paul McCarthy, who is based at Stagecoach East's Peterborough Depot, had many years of first aid experience and was a trainee bus driver at the time.

The man knocked on his bus door asking for help at about 18:30 GMT on 6 February. Mr McCarthy provided first aid until the emergency services arrived.

Stagecoach East managing editor Darren Roe said he was "very proud" of Mr McCarthy as he recently gave him the Mick Capper Award at the depot.

The annual award, which is named in remembrance of a driver who died during the Covid pandemic, is available to all Stagecoach East's staff.

Mr McCarthy was accompanied by his trainee mentor, Scott Gibson, when he came to the man's aid, putting him into the recovery position on his bus floor and providing CPR when he stopped breathing.

The emergency services then took over and the patient was taken to hospital for treatment. The company later heard he was expected to make a full recovery.

Once the incident was over, Mr McCarthy "was able to calmly continue taking his other passengers to their destinations", according to Stagecoach East.

Mr Roe said: "I am very proud of everything that Paul has been able to do in his relatively short time with us.

"His quick thinking, and calm and professional approach to this incident, were genuinely heroic."

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.