THE driver of a bus which overturned on its way to school has been awarded a commendation for her bravery.

Eileen Hampton helped her young passengers to get safely off the bus despite being seriously injured herself following the crash on the B4399 on November 10 last year.

More than 20 pupils from the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School and St Mary’s RC High School were taken to hospital with various injuries while Ms Hampton was in intensive care for several weeks with chest and abdominal injuries.

She broke 10 bones and punctured her lungs.

But her bravery throughout the horror has been formally recognised and she attended a small ceremony in the Mayor's Parlour at Hereford Town Hall to pick up her award.

The citation said the commendation was awarded to Ms Hampton for showing exceptional devotion to duty and courage in ensuring the safe evacuation of all children from her bus after a crash left her with painful injuries.

Ms Hampton, from Ocle Pychard, still finds it difficult to talk about the collision and is continuing to recover.

Speaking to the Hereford Times this week, she said: "I would like to thank all the services which attended to the accident which I was involved in – they were all excellent.

"I would like to thank all the staff at Hereford County Hospital also as they were marvellous while I was there. I'm now on the road to a full recovery and feeling much better."

She said she was very grateful for the kindness people showed in phoning her workplace to ask how she was and for sending get well messages, cards and flowers.

"It was really overwhelming," she said. "Last but not least I wish all the children involved a long, healthy and happy life."

Cllr Nicolls said the City Council wanted to officially recognise Eileen’s bravery in putting the safety of the children in her care first before coping with her own injuries.