A BUS driver was hailed a hero today for saving the lives of his passengers when a car ploughed head-on into his bus.

The woman driver of the Jaguar died in the impact on the A19 at Deighton, near York, yesterday.

Passengers among the 18 hurt when the Arriva 415 York to Selby bus was caught up in the crash said their driver's quick-thinking had saved lives.

Ten people, including the bus driver, were taken to hospital in York, and eight others were taken to Selby Hospital.

Acting Sergeant Andy Langford, of North Yorkshire Police, who attended the scene, said it was believed the woman had overtaken a line of traffic and clipped two vehicles before the crash.

Among the casualties was Tracy Milenovic, 25, from Selby, who said the collision was like a "massive jolt".

"Everyone was screaming and crying, and they were saying 'we have to get off the bus' because there was smoke. I was shaking with all this blood coming out of my mouth," she said.

She praised the driver's action in swerving to avoid an oncoming car. "He saved our lives really," she said.

I felt this massive jolt. The people screamed.

THIS was the scene after a woman lost her life in a head-on collision with a bus on the A19 south of York.

A further 18 people, including the bus driver and an 18-year-old woman, needed hospital treatment after the accident which happened at 4.30pm yesterday on the A19 at Deighton, between York and Selby.

The woman driver, who has yet to be named, was pronounced dead at the scene and was driving alone in a Jaguar car when the crash happened on a bend in the road close to the White Swan Inn.

She was believed to have been overtaking a queue of traffic heading north towards York when she ploughed head-on into an oncoming Arriva 415 Selby bus.

Police shut the road between Naburn Lane and Wheldrake Lane causing long tailbacks in both directions during the rush hour.

Six ambulances were needed to take the walking wounded, including an 18-year-old woman with facial injuries, to hospital in York and Selby.

It is thought the Jaguar had clipped a Citroen Saxo at the back of the queue of traffic before careering out of control hitting the bus and becoming wedged under the driver's cabin.

The accident happened outside the Grimstone House Bed and Breakfast and owner Pat Wright went out to help the dazed bus passengers who were spilling off the bus through the rear emergency exit.

Mrs Wright took blankets to help keep people warm and invited them in to the bed and breakfast to await the arrival of the emergency services.

"People were coming off the bus in a state of shock, most of them were ladies and they were very, very shaken up.

"All I could do was hold their hands until the ambulance arrived," said Mrs Wright.

Fire crews from York, Acomb, Selby and the heavy rescue unit from Ripon were in attendance.

They used hydraulic lifting gear to free the car which was wedged under the driver's cabin of the bus and it was two hours before the woman's body could be freed from the wreckage.

Acting Sgt Andy Langford of North Yorkshire Traffic Police said it was lucky the bus was only half full or the accident could have been much worse.

He also said he was eager to speak to the driver of an unknown goods vehicle which the Jaguar is thought to have clipped up to a mile along the road before the crash scene.

999 crews praised for 'fantastic job'

A TOP York ambulanceman today praised his colleagues for "an absolutely fantastic job" in caring for the injured and shocked at the scene of the crash.

Paul Brown, general manager of patient services for Tees North Yorkshire Ambulance Services based in Shipton Road, York, was in Goole when he was alerted.

By the time he stopped at the chaotic scene on the A19 at Escrick five ambulances had already arrived and were doing their jobs.

He said: "Everyone worked as a team from the person co-ordinating to the crews themselves, all of them focused and professional and there was terrific integration

with the police and fire service.

"The first ambulance crew on the scene was from Selby and everyone, including a trainee, was absolutely fantastic, showing skill, courage and commitment. They reconnoitred and calmly informed control what was needed. They helped and calmed the victims and certainly prevented the patients from deteriorating further.

Shock and disbelief

SCREAMS filled the air of the Arriva 415 York to Selby bus as it swerved in an attempt to avoid the crash and veered up a grass verge, a passenger said today.

Tracy Milenovic, one of ten injured passengers take to York Hospital after the crash, said passengers were thrown forward by the impact, and when smoke began to fill the air on the single-decker, they rushed off the bus, supporting those who needed it.

Paramedics were quick to arrive on the scene along with the police and fire crews, earning praise from the casualties for their swift response - and Tracy, nursing a bleeding lip and chin, hailed the bus driver as a lifesaver for his actions in trying to avoid the fatal accident.

"He was very good. He saved our lives really," she told the Press as she awaited treatment for facial and knee cuts and a broken tooth.

Tracy, who works for Help the Aged in Goodramgate, York, said she had been on her way home to Selby when the accident happened. "It was about 4.30pm and I was distracted at the time. I just felt this massive jolt like everything was shaking very hard.

"I was sat in the middle of the bus and went forward towards the seat in front. Everyone was screaming and crying and they were saying "we have to get off the bus" because there was smoke.

"I was shaking with all this blood coming out of my mouth. I went out the back of the bus. I was helped out and we all sat on the grass verge by the side."

The 25-year-old said: "Most people were okay. There were only a few of us who were quite badly injured. I was crying a bit. The first thing everyone did was to start phoning a relative, anyone, just to let them know what was happening. A lady dialled for me and called my mum as I couldn't speak at the time."

Tracy said she was only on the bus because she had been allowed to leave work early because it was quiet.

"I caught the 4.05 bus. I heard people say it was a lot quieter than usual. There were some school girls on the bus, aged about 15. I think they were okay but shocked."

"I shared an ambulance with a girl who was 18. I think she had ruptured something, and she was taking oxygen. There was another lady who suffered similar injuries to me - she had hit her chin on the seat in front and was in a lot of pain."

Tracy's father, Momo, arrived at the scene within 15 minutes of being alerted. He said: "I went straight away. The police led me through onto the verge. The ambulances, fire brigade and police were all there. I have never seen anything like it.

"The bus was halfway on the grass verge with the other car half beneath the driver's side."

Mr Milenovic, who spoke to the driver afterwards, said: "He did his best to save the passengers. If he hadn't swerved it could have been a lot worse."

Witnesses are asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 01904 669884.

Updated: 09:48 Thursday, October 21, 2004