A BUS driver who collapsed at the wheel of his vehicle and crashed into traffic lights in Radcliffe town centre yesterday is in a stable condition in hospital.

The 66-year-old man, who is a very experienced driver, lost consciousness while driving on Blackburn Street at 11.30am yesterday morning.

A pregnant passenger on the bus was taken to hospital suffering from abdominal pains after the collision caused her to fall to the floor, while other passengers suffered only minor injuries.

The driver regained consciousness before being taken to hospital yesterday, and remains there while doctors try to determine the cause of his illness.

A spokesperson for First Group buses said: “Our team attended the scene quickly yesterday supporting the emergency services, who did an excellent job.

“In such times our focus remains on the passengers affected and our driver. We continue to support the family of our driver as he recovers.”

Fire and rescue officers at the scene, opposite Radcliffe Pool and Fitness Centre, said it was lucky that more people were not seriously hurt.

A section of Blackburn Street was briefly closed yesterday, with traffic diverted onto Spring Lane, before it was re-opened with police directing traffic around the vehicle.

The bus was removed at 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.