A BUS driver has been suspended after being caught on video verbally abusing a young cyclist training for a charity ride in memory of his brother.

A headcam mounted on the cyclist’s helmet caught the unnamed Go North East driver making threats and mocking County Durham cyclist Jack Smith who had accused him of almost killing him by "knocking" him with the bus.

WARNING: Video contains strong language

In a video posted online and shared more than 3,000 times, Mr Smith accuses the driver of the number 46 service of driving “stupidly close” to him before the driver says: “Put your finger up at me again and I’ll f***king break your hand.”

After refusing to give his name, the driver swears repeatedly then appears to mock the cyclist by mimicking his speech impediment before waving for the camera.

In a post accompanying the video, Mr Smith denies provoking the driver and says: “After nearly getting killed by this idiot who knocked me with his bus and drove off, I went to the local bus station to find the driver’s name so I could put in a complaint.

“Long story short, he made serious threats on and off camera – the worst I didn’t get on film as I was walking away.

“Let’s hope this idiot is never allowed to drive a bus again.”

He added: “I never once raised a finger, swore or acted in a threatening manner.”

The incident – believed to have taken place yesterday (Monday, September 8) – has been reported to the police and the driver, who had been operating the number 46 Consett to Newcastle service, has been suspended by his employers.

David Curry, operations director at Go North East, condemned the driver’s actions and said the circumstances of the incident were being thoroughly investigated.

He said: “The behaviour exhibited in the video clip is totally unacceptable.

“This is not what we expect of any of our staff when dealing with our customers.

“Go North East takes customer care very seriously and we have a rigorous course of customer care training that every employee who deals with the public completes.

“Clearly this was a very upsetting incident and I can only apologise for any distress that was caused by this inappropriate behaviour.”

Numerous comments relating to the incident appear to have been removed from Go North East’s Facebook page.