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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Coach bursts into flames on m-way | Coach bursts into flames on m-way |
| (1 day later) | |
| A coach driver led 49 passengers to safety after their vehicle burst into flames on the M1. | |
| The London to Nottingham coach pulled on to the hard shoulder of the motorway in Leicestershire after developing mechanical problems on Monday night. | The London to Nottingham coach pulled on to the hard shoulder of the motorway in Leicestershire after developing mechanical problems on Monday night. |
| Driver Don Edwards got the passengers off the National Express coach and firefighters put out the flames. | Driver Don Edwards got the passengers off the National Express coach and firefighters put out the flames. |
| Passenger Heather Savage from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, described the driver as an "absolute hero". | Passenger Heather Savage from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, described the driver as an "absolute hero". |
| I have safety training so I remained calm and reassured the customers Don Edwards, coach driver | I have safety training so I remained calm and reassured the customers Don Edwards, coach driver |
| The incident happened near junction 22, the Coalville turn off. | The incident happened near junction 22, the Coalville turn off. |
| Ms Savage said: "Within a few minutes the bus was (full of) thick, black smoke - and that's a killer, more than the flames. | Ms Savage said: "Within a few minutes the bus was (full of) thick, black smoke - and that's a killer, more than the flames. |
| "It could have been terrible but the driver got everybody calmly off the bus. He was amazing." | "It could have been terrible but the driver got everybody calmly off the bus. He was amazing." |
| Mr Edwards said: "I have safety training so I remained calm and reassured the customers while a replacement coach arrived. | Mr Edwards said: "I have safety training so I remained calm and reassured the customers while a replacement coach arrived. |
| "I'm pleased to have helped people on board." | "I'm pleased to have helped people on board." |
| A spokesperson for National Express said: "All customers and staff were safely removed from the vehicle. | A spokesperson for National Express said: "All customers and staff were safely removed from the vehicle. |
| "Safety is always our number one priority and we are currently investigating the cause of the issue." | "Safety is always our number one priority and we are currently investigating the cause of the issue." |
| A replacement coach arrived two hours later and passengers were able to complete their journey. | A replacement coach arrived two hours later and passengers were able to complete their journey. |