Man struck by bus

Police probe incident — but First claim inconsistencies
A FATHER-of-two has alleged he was a split-second from going under the wheels of a bus when it drove off with him clinging to the windscreen wiper.

Steve Curran, from Failsworth, says he was forced to run backwards as he banged the windscreen

And when the bus stopped, he claims the driver then reversed and drove off without getting out.

But bus company First believes there are inconsistencies in the 54-year-old’s story and has “serious questions” about what happened.

Mr Curran, who owns a vehicle repair businesses, suffered bruised ribs in the incident in Oldham Road, Ashton, opposite Ikea, on Friday afternoon.

He was at a car dealership when he heard a car horn and someone shouting.

Thinking they were trying to attract his attention, he walked in front of a First bus waiting in stationary traffic.

The car passenger said it was not him they were after and Mr Curran explained: “I turned to walk away. The traffic had cleared in front of the bus for a split-second then I heard a bang and the bus had hit me.

“It spun me around and then I was facing the windscreen. I was basically running backwards holding on to one of the windscreen wipers and banging onto the window of the bus.”

Facing the driver he continued: “He carried me for 30 to 40ft until the car whose passenger I had spoken to pulled diagonally in front of him.

“As it stopped I fell and he just reversed the bus, nearly hitting a car behind, and drove off round the vehicle and left me stood there.”

The car driver is said to have followed the bus to Ashton station and reported the incident.

Mr Curran, who is married with two grown-up children, added: “Another split second and I would have gone underneath because I couldn’t move my legs fast enough. They were hitting the bumpers.”

A police spokesman confirmed that the matter was being investigated.

A First spokesman added: “We have investigated these allegations and we have found various inconsistencies with the story which leads us to seriously question what has happened.

“Our investigations have included talking to independent witnesses and our staff, as well as looking at all available cctv footage.

“The police are aware of this alleged incident and we are now keen to pass our findings to them for consideration on what the next steps might be.”