A QUICK-THINKING bus driver who stood in the middle of a busy road to save the life of a suicidal passenger has been given an annual award by his employers.

Giancarlo De Michelis was named Star of the Year by Thames Travel last month after his brave actions during an incident on the River Rapids service between Oxford and Reading in December.

Mr De Michelis said he was just doing his job and did not expect to be rewarded.

The 63-year-old, who lives in Didcot, was driving the X40 route from Reading to Oxford in December when one of his passengers ran from the vehicle at a bus stop near Woodcote.

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Mr De Michelis said: “He lay down the middle of the road. It was dark and on a long straight section of road, and he was lying there waiting to be hit by oncoming traffic.”

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The driver, who has been a bus driver for 27 years, manoeuvred his single-decker bus across both lanes of the busy A4074.

The man, thought to be suffering a psychotic episode, was restrained by Mr De Michelis, with the help of three other passengers.

He added: “I put my bus across the road and put my warning lights on.

“We grabbed him and took him from the road and put him on the verge but he was abusive and kicking out.

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“One of the women passengers called the police, but he got himself free again and tried to lie in the road again - it was a scary moment.

“I put myself at risk but I couldn’t risk the guy’s life in the dark on a straight piece of road where the cars come fast.”

Police arrived 20 minutes later and arrested the suicidal man.

After the incident, which took place at about 9.30pm on December 16, one of the passengers contacted Thames Travel to say she was ‘extremely impressed by how brave the driver was’.

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She added: “The driver was also very calming, kind and helpful, and managed the situation as best he could.”

Mr De Michelis has worked for Thames Travel for 10 years, having previously driven for sister company the Oxford Bus Company’s Airline services to Gatwick and Heathrow, and Heyfordian coaches.

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He was named Star of the Month for December internally at the bus company, following the letter from his passenger.

Mr De Michelis then scooped Star of the Year at Oxford Bus Company’s Really Amazing Awards at the Ashmolean Museum and was given £500 in vouchers.

Phil Southall, managing director of Thames Travel and Oxford Bus Company said: “Giancarlo acted extremely bravely by stopping the bus, putting hazards on and placing himself in the middle of the road trying to stop the cars from hitting the passenger.

“He acted calmly, professionally and decisively in the heat of the moment and, despite his modesty, thoroughly deserves this recognition.

“We’re all very proud of him and he is a fine example of the great care and attention our drivers have for our passengers.”

The River Rapids service in 2018 welcomed more than 790,000 passengers between Oxford, Wallingford, Henley and Reading.

It carried 791,000 passengers in the first 12 months since it revamped the service. On average 2,300 passengers used the service every day.

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This represented 158,000 extra passengers and a 20 per cent increase on the previous year. The River Rapids route X38 reinstated the direct service from Oxford to Henley in November 2017.

The service also increased the frequency of buses between Oxford and Wallingford.