Press releases

When Pete Styles looks back over his long career there will always be one memory that stands out above all the rest – the day he saved the life of one of his regular customers.

It all happened a few months back when Pete was about to pull away from a bus stop on Route 42 (South Wigston to Leicester City Centre).

Noticing in his mirror that a woman was running to catch the bus, the Wigston driver decided to wait for her.

Without warning, however, the woman collapsed in the road, before reaching the bus.

Pete and another customer instantly went to her aid, but since the woman had no detectable heartbeat or pulse Pete immediately contacted the emergency services for help.

Following their instructions, Pete administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until a police officer and paramedics arrived.

The lady was later taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary and, incredibly, despite suffering another heart attack, slipping into a coma for three weeks and undergoing triple heart bypass, she has since made a full recovery.

It was an amazing day – one I will never forget. It wasn't until afterwards that I suddenly realised I'd helped to save a person's life,

said Pete who has been a bus driver for 29 years.

Despite appearing on the front page of the Leicester Mercury, receiving a bravery award from the chief constable of Leicestershire Police and being hailed a hero by family and friends, Pete admits it was the letter he received from the customer that meant the most to him.

The nicest praise of all was from the lady herself. She sent me a lovely letter thanking me for saving her life.

I'd really like to see her again and hope she'll catch the bus one day soon,

added Pete.

Ends