A Thames Water worker has suffered serious injuries after being hit by a coach while working roadside in Oxford.

Chris Simpson-Challis was working on London Road in the early hours last Wednesday (June 28) when he and his colleague were hit by an oncoming bus when standing near their van.

After being treated by paramedics at the scene, Mr Simpson-Challis was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital at around 4am.

He suffered multiple breaks in his right leg, a broken ankle, broken ribs and vertebrae as well as a broken nose which also required stitches.

He estimated he was thrown 20 meters from where he was working.

Mr Simpson-Challis said: “Myself and my colleague were stood at the front of the van after putting out cones discussing our next steps and then all I remember from them is a loud banging noise and the sensation of being rolled onto my front.

“I managed to get on my back and then things came into focus and then remember seeing my supervisor, paramedics and police around, and then I get flashes of paramedics asking me ‘what my name is and where it hurts’.

“I’m still in hospital and it’s going to be quite a long recovery but I’m taking it one day at a time.

“I think I was very lucky to come away with the injuries I came with."

Working for PN Daly as a subcontractor for Thames Water, Mr Simpson-Challis is from Coventry where his wife, Danni Simpson-Challis and his three boys aged 19, nine and seven were when the crash happened.

Ms Simpson-Challis said: “I was at home with our children as Chris works at night and I work in the day.

“I had police at my doorstep at 6.30am telling me my husband had life-altering injuries. That was all I was told.

“Obviously, we know it’s not that serious now, but I just panicked and my eldest son was awake and he ran to the front door.”

He said: “We have been Facetiming myself, my wife and children but it is not the same as being with them.

"At least we can have face-to-face communication but it is difficult.

“It is particularly difficult for the younger two children as they don’t really understand what’s happening.

“They have come to see me and have seen pictures but it is not something you can prepare them for.”

It is expected it will take him six months to fully recover to be able to return to work.

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We are aware of a traffic collision involving two of our sub-contractor employees on Wednesday, June 28.

“We are supporting the affected employees, but are unable to comment further due to ongoing investigations." 

Thames Valley Police has confirmed it is investigating the incident and that no arrests have been made at this stage.

The force confirmed that the bus was an Oxford Tube coach which is run by the bus company Stagecoach.

The Oxford Mail has reached out to Stagecoach for a comment.