A bus driver who was fortunate to survive after his vehicle was involved in a head-on collision has been awarded £250,000 in damages.

James Morton, 60, was driving his bus down a tree-lined country road when the accident happened. An oncoming Mercedes van left him with nowhere to go and the van hit the bus, injuring the driver and several passengers.

In the crash, Mr Morton’s left leg was shattered below the knee. Only swift treatment at the scene prevented him from having to have an amputation. Mr Morton was later told that if the van had struck just 18 inches further to one side then he would almost certainly have been killed.

After the accident, Mr Morton was confined to a wheelchair for two years. He can now only walk short distances and needs to use a stick. He also lost his driving licence on medical grounds and is unable to return to the job he enjoyed for 27 years.

Initially, the driver of the van did not admit liability for the accident and a two-year legal battle ensued. Finally, he did accept liability and his insurance company agreed to pay Mr Morton £250,000 in compensation.