A bus driver saved the life of a baby who was choking on a journey.

Brighton and Hove Bus Company driver Steve Plank leapt into action on his way to work yesterday morning while he was a passenger.

The four-month-old baby’s mother was desperately trying to get the choking boy to start breathing again on the Denton to Newhaven Compass service.

Steve came to the rescue, giving the baby chest thrusts and starting his breathing again while paramedics were on their way.

Steve’s colleagues hailed him a hero but the humble driver said he was “just happy the baby was fine”.

Father of two Steve, 50, said he remembered his first aid training from his time as a football coach and put his fingers under the baby’s ribs.

He said: “The mum was shaking the baby and saying ‘wake up, wake up’.

“I just put my fingers under his chest and I had freezing cold hands so that might have been a shock to the system.

“I pumped his chest three times then I thought the baby moved a bit so I did it again and he jumped.

“I used to run a boys’ football team and did some first aid training and it stuck in my mind ever since.

“All the other people on the bus were panicking and calling me a hero but I just did what anyone would have done.

“I don’t think I’m a hero. I’m just glad the baby’s fine.”

Steve’s supervisor, Keith Walls, said: “Steve doesn’t really want to go down as a hero but we’re all celebrating him as one here.”

Another co-worker said: “Steve said he only did what anyone would have done, but to everyone else he’s a hero.”

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said “We were called to a Compass Bus at the junction of Acacia Road and Denton Rise at 9.20am to reports of a baby boy with breathing difficulties.

“An ambulance car was on the scene and, within a couple of minutes, was joined by an ambulance crew.

“The baby was taken to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.

“We are always extremely grateful when anyone helps to resuscitate patients prior to our arrival.”

 

What to do if a baby is choking

LIE the baby face down along your forearm or thigh, with their head low. Support their head.

Give up to five firm slaps to the baby’s back between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

Stop after each slap to check if the blockage has cleared. Look inside the baby’s mouth and remove any obvious blockage.

Do not poke your fingers into the baby’s mouth unless you can see and reach the blockage. You may push it further in.

If the airway is still blocked, give up to five chest thrusts.

Then, lie the baby along your forearm on their back, with their head low. Support their back and head.

Give up to five chest thrusts. Using two fingers, push inwards and upwards (towards the head) against the baby’s breastbone, one finger’s breadth below the nipple line.

If the baby’s airway is still blocked after three cycles of back slaps and chest thrusts, you should dial 999 for an ambulance immediately. Do not leave the baby – take him or her with you to the phone.

Continue with the cycles of back slaps and chest thrusts until help arrives.