A WOMAN told today how her husband saved her life by pushing her out of the way when a hit and run driver smashed into a bus stop.

Peter Mullen, aged 63, pushed his wife Mavis out of the path of the speeding Toyota Corolla which then crashed into him. He took the full impact of the crash and could now lose a leg.

Mr Mullen, who was still recovering from open heart surgery he had undergone four months earlier, was thrown into the air.

Three men freed themselves from the wreckage and ran off, leaving the couple injured at the scene.

Mrs Mullen, aged 62, suffered bruising, cuts and a suspected broken rib in the collision, but is convinced she would have died if her husband had not intervened so quickly.

She said: "Peter saved my life -- I've got no doubts. We both heard the screech of tyres and then saw the car coming towards us sideways.

"Peter was telling me to run, but I was frozen to the spot. I walk with a stick because of arthritis, so there was absolutely no way I could have run away.

"If Peter hadn't pushed me out of the way, I'd have fallen under the car's wheels."

Mr Mullen underwent emergency surgery on the night of the accident at the Royal Bolton Hospital before undergoing a further operation two days later.

The muscles in his legs are severely damaged and doctors fear he may lose his right limb.

Mrs Mullen added: "The lads who did it must have their own parents and grandparents. Would they want their own family to go through this?"

Mr and Mrs Mullen have been married for 32 years and have no children.

The incident last Wednesday happened at 8.10pm near the junction of Manchester Road and Orlando Bridge.

Witnesses are asked to contact Bolton traffic unit on 0161 856 5972 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.