Teenager survives after bus falls on his head

A teenage mechanic is lucky to be alive after a 14-ton bus he was working on collapsed on his head.

Apprentice Ben Burgin, 17, was under the single-decker when the suspension suddenly gave way and brought the vehicle crashing on top of him.

Horrified workmates rushed to his aid and managed to tip the vehicle so the youngster could get his head free.

Ben suffered head injuries, a fractured eye socket and badly broken nose and had emergency surgery to insert metal plates in his forehead and nose.

But he was well enough to spend time at home in Penistone, near Barnsley yesterday and doctors say he is unlikely to have suffered brain damage.

Dad Christopher, 44, said: "The surgeon told us everything has gone as well as it can. They said they have had a few patients where vehicles have collapsed on their heads but none have gone out alive - Ben has been very lucky."