A MAN having a fit was rushed to hospital onboard a bus after an ambulance failed to turn up.

The 30-year-old was on the 108 bus on Westcombe Hill, Greenwich, when he fell ill at 1.10pm on Saturday.

The bus driver immediately made a 999 emergency call but after waiting almost 30 minutes he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He drove more than two miles off his route to take the man to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.

According to the London Ambulance Service, the delay was due to the nearest crews being on a rest break.

A spokesman said: "The staff from two nearby fast response cars were off duty on a rest break. However, a duty station officer and an ambulance were dispatched as soon as they became available.

"The duty station officer arrived at the scene at 1.34pm but was not able to find the patient.

"When staff in our emergency operations centre rang the caller back at 1.36pm to request clarification of where help was needed, they were advised that the patient had been taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

"We are very sorry for any distress caused to the patient or those who were with him but would stress that the very high levels of demand the service experienced meant we weren't able to handle this call as we would normally be able to."

A TfL spokesman said: "On Saturday, an elderly male passenger fell ill on bus route 108, operated by East Thames Buses, which was travelling towards Lewisham.

"Following a call by the driver of the bus to the police and ambulance, he was asked to drive the ill passenger to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, which he did.

"The safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority, but it is rare that bus drivers are called upon to assist in this way.

"We are very proud of the actions of the driver in helping to save the life of one of our passengers."

  • Are you the passenger who was taken to hospital, or did you see it happen? Call us on 01689 885732.