A BUS driver and his colleague have been praised for their actions after driving a passenger who was struggling with a mental health issue to her door.

Steve Cannon was driving the number 29 Stagecoach service from Workington to Whitehaven on Thursday afternoon when one of his passengers seemed lost and confused. He turned the full bus around so he could drive her home in Moorclose and, along with his mentor, Phil Acton, who was also onboard, walked her to her door.

The men were honoured with a presentation and received gift vouchers at the Workington depot yesterday, after members of the public highlighted their deeds on social media.

Operations director Tom Waterhouse applauded their actions he said: “It was a selfless act, and we would always encourage our drivers to put the safety and welfare of all passengers first.

“Steve is just a new driver with us, so his mentor, Phil, was also onboard. They could see the lady was struggling and had no hesitation in turning the bus around.

“The outpouring of praise on social media shows just how much people appreciate us going the extra mile.”

Mr Acton said: “The lady is a regular on the bus, so I knew roughly where she would want to be. Steve pointed out that she had intended to get off at Lilyhall, but we were approaching the last stop there.

“She wasn’t making much sense, so I asked if she’d like to be taken home.

“It’s something I’ve done before and I know the signs to look out for — but it’s something that any of the drivers would do. With Steve being new, it’s something he’ll know to look out for.

“I don’t do social media, but it’s good to feel like I’ve done the right thing and to hear that people appreciate it.”

A post by passenger Steph Bramley, a mother of two, received more than 1,500 shares on Facebook, as bus service users heaped praise on the pair.

She said: “I noticed the woman was looking really confused and she didn’t really know where she was, but the driver stopped the bus and took her home. They even walked her to her door.

“I could have cried happy tears. They were amazing and deserve to be recognised.”