Isle of Wight: Quick Thinking Bus Driver Saves Drunk Man

31 December 2013, 13:36 | Updated: 31 December 2013, 14:30

The perils of the party season have been laid bare in shocking a video released by Hampshire Police.

Footage filmed from the front of a bus shows a man - clearly the worse for wear - passed out on his back in the middle of country lane at night.

If not for the quick thinking of the driver, the bus company Southern Vectis said, the unidentified young man would have been killed.

The video of the incident on the Isle of Wight, released by Hampshire Police, shows the man stagger to the side of the road before falling over into the grass verge.

Lit by the bus's headlights, the man then sits with his arms folded for a few moments, before picking himself up and stumbling away.



Sgt Dave Sanderson of the Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit, said:

"The video shows the extraordinary danger the man put himself in. More significantly, the danger he put everyone else in.

"Imagine the devastating impact this incident could have had on others if it were not for the amazing reactions of the bus driver.

"We have released the video with the kind permission of Southern Vectis to encourage safer behaviour. Whether a pedestrian or road user, please keep yourself safe on the roads, because sometime you need to expect the unexpected.''

A Southern Vectis spokesman said: "The driver's quick thinking actions saved this guy's life, but just a second or two later could have been a different story. Please keep yourself and others safe when enjoying a night out.''

The footage was filmed on Saturday October 5 at 3.05am on route 7 along Halletts Shute.