POLICE are poring over CCTV footage to work out how a man came to be run over by a bus on a busy high street.

The 62-year-old pedestrian, who has not been named but is from Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside, was knocked down as he crossed North Road near Durham City bus station shortly before 3pm yesterday (Monday, July 29).

He sustained serious chest injuries and remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where his condition is described as stable.

Durham Police have launched an investigation into the crash and experts are now studying CCTV footage from inside the bus, a single-decker Arriva vehicle, in the hope of piecing together exactly what happened in the moments before the collision.

Sergeant Lee Morris, from Durham Police, said officers had already spoken to several witnesses to the crash, but appealed for anyone else with information on what happened to come forward.

“Although we have spoken to a number of people who saw the collision, we are still keen to speak to any other witnesses.

“I would ask anyone with information to contact 101 and ask for the collision investigation unit,” Sgt Morris said.

People in the area at the time reported hearing screams as the bus, on the 49A Durham-Brandon service, hit the man as he crossed North Road.

The vehicle had just left the bus station and turned left up North Road. The crash happened less than 20 yards from the bus station exit.

Neither the bus driver nor any passengers on board were injured.

The man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to a Great North Air Ambulance helicopter which had been landed on Palace Green, next to Durham Cathedral, in order to evacuate him to hospital.

Nick Knox, area managing director for Arriva North East, said: “We are offering all parties involved our full support.

“The CCTV footage from the bus has been downloaded and is now being reviewed by the police.”

Durham County Council is looking at building a new £6.2m bus station, plans which would see that part of North Road pedestrianised.