THE driver hailed a hero for saving passengers when his Oxford Tube coach tipped over on the M40 had previously saved a former Oxford United manager in another crash.

Trevor License, 48, was driving Oxford United’s coach five years ago when it was involved in an accident on the way back from a game at Torquay United.

In this week’s incident, he was driving from Oxford to London when a passenger grabbed the steering wheel at about 2am on Monday.

Mr License tried to regain control but the coach toppled over.

However, no-one on board was seriously injured and they were all able to get out through a roof hatch.

One passenger needed hospital treatment, while Mr License hurt his shoulder.

Last night his daughter Lisa License hailed her father as a hero but revealed he was deeply traumatised by the crash and felt unable to leave his home in Witney. She said: “He did brilliantly. I had no idea it was so serious until I read the news reports.

“We can’t believe it has happened again.

“My dad is in a very bad way mentally. He has a few minor injuries but they will heal.

“However, he’s going to need lots of counselling and it’s going to be a long time before he’s back behind the wheel.”

In December 2005, Mr License was driving for Witney firm McLeans Coaches when he and the Oxford United team got caught up in a crash on the A380 in Devon after a game at Torquay which had ended in a 3-3 draw.

Mr License realised that he could not slam on the brakes because then U’s manager Brian Talbot – who now works for FC Marsaxlokk in Malta – was standing up.

The coach collided with another vehicle before Mr License could bring it safely to a halt.

His daughter said: “He can’t leave the house at the moment, because he’s so scared of bumping into the passenger.

“I think like most people on the bus that night, he thought he was going to die. It must have been terrifying for all of them.

“He was a hero and did so well. It could have been so much worse. We’re all very proud of him.”

Fellow coach driver Gordon Kelly, 40, was a colleague of Mr License at McLeans.

He said: “I have known Trevor for a long time and he’s exactly the kind of man you would want in that situation. He’s very experienced and a very good driver.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all that he reacted so calmly and professionally in this instance.”

Katie Pickwoad, 32, who was a passenger on the Oxford Tube coach, said: “The driver was brilliant. He made sure everyone got out and that we were all okay.

“He tried to keep everyone calm and was looking out for everyone’s safety.

“He was extremely nice and we have sent him a card to say thank you for everything he did.”

A 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with Monday’s crash in Buckinghamshire after police found him in woodland near the M40. He was later released on bail until September 25.