'Hero' bus driver who used his vehicle as a shield to save a woman’s life dies in car crash

A bus driver hailed a hero after saving a woman's life by using his vehicle as a shield to stop cars hitting her has died - in a car crash.

Tributes have been paid to Nana Boateng who used his bus to protect a woman lying in the road earlier this year.

Mr Boateng became a local hero in October when he saw a woman lying in the middle of the road in Bath, Somerset.

His first thought was to protect her from oncoming traffic so he cautiously inched the double-decker number 12 in front of her so she was not hit by cars.

He got out to help and direct traffic away from her until help arrived - then got back on his bus and completed his round.

But on December 24 he died when the car he was driving was in a collision with a lorry.

The Chippenham, Wiltshire, man was driving home from visiting family when the crash happened on the A429 at around 4am on Christmas Eve.

Mr Boateng, who was in a Ford Fiesta, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Colleagues of the popular bus driver at Bath Bus Station learned of his death later that day.

First Bus announced in a staff memo: "It is with very great regret that we advise all members of staff that our friend and colleague Nana Boateng has died in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

"We shall all miss his infectious smile and personality. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

He was hailed a "hero" by First Bus at the time, but Mr Boateng deflected the praise, saying: "I don't really think I did anything special."

Police are looking for witnesses to the collision which killed Mr Boateng and closed the A429 for about eight hours on Christmas Eve.

The A429 was closed in both directions between junction 17 northbound and Malmesbury southbound.

Wiltshire Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or saw the vehicles prior to the collision to contact PC 1106 Rabczak, on 101, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

SWNS