FIVE Bolton postmen were hailed as heroes today after stopping a runaway bus.

The men averted a disaster when they jumped aboard a driverless Ribble bus as it careered across a main road yesterday.

The single decke bus mounted the pavement before the men were able to pull on the handbrake.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's BEN, the vehicle began rolling across Blackhorse Street. Fortunately, no-one or any property was hit by the bus.

A bus company spokesman said: "The driver left the vehicle to pick up a new ticket roll.

"At this stage we are not sure whether he has left the handbrake off, or whether there was an mechanical problem. "The bus is being checked over and a full investigation will be taking place."

Cllr Martin Donaghy witnessed the incident and said: "I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"I initially thought the bus was just turning round in the road, and then I realised it had no driver.

"The postmen did a brilliant job. They saved what could have been a disaster."

The five postmen - Gareth Roberts, Brian Beard, Mick Dagger, Tommy Broughton and Andy Lowe - were returning from their first delivery round by bus to the Post Office on Deansgate, when they spotted what was happening.

A spokesman for the Post Office said: "We are all very proud of them.

"Their fast thinking prevented what could have been a very nasty accident.

"Post men and women do whatever they can in the community, whether it is helping in incidents like this, or playing a vital part in everyday things."

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