THE quick-thinking actions of a coach driver helped save the life of one of his passengers who took ill.

Driver Graham Walker acted swiftly while told that Joe Wilson had blacked out when the bus was travelling on the A19.

Sedgefield Borough Council's Carelink coach was taking a group of elderly passengers from Trimdon, County Durham, on a trip to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge when the 72-year-old took ill.

The driver monitored the situation and was about to call for an ambulance when Mr Wilson regained consciousness.

As he was only eight minutes from Sunderland Royal Hospital, Mr Walker decided to make it his next stop.

Realising that time was important, he phoned ahead to the hospital informing them of the situation and Mr Wilson, who was accompanied by his wife, Jennie, was met at accident and emergency department by medical staff.

Mr Wilson, who has fully recovered from his ordeal, suffers from a heart condition and is now back home in Trimdon Village.

He said: "The driver put himself out and really helped me. He's a good lad and he did a good job."

The couple also paid tribute to nurses Pam Redden and Mary Robinson, who administered first aid while Mr Wilson was on the coach.

Mrs Wilson said: "They were wonderful. Everyone on the coach thought he had gone, so we owe them a big thank you."

Arthur Bellwood, Carelink services manager, said: "Graham had to think quickly and undoubtedly took the right course of action.

"There are about 170 groups which benefit from the Carelink coach and all of our drivers are first aid trained and are aware that something might happen en route.