A DUNFERMLINE coach driver who somehow managed to bring his bus to a stop despite suffering a heart attack at the wheel says he owes his life to the Pars’ physio.

Steven Smith was carrying members of the Elizabethan Pars Supporters Club home from Saturday’s match at Queen of the South when he started suffering chest pains while driving on the A701 between Dumfries and Moffat.

Bay Travel employee Steven, 47, said that the pains shot up to his jaw and he began to suffer tunnel vision but managed to slow the 49-seat vehicle – which was full – and steer it off the road before losing consciousness.

It crashed into a stone wall before coming to a rest and club physio Kenny Murray, who was travelling minutes behind in the team’s kit van, sprang into action along with another coach driver to help keep Steven conscious for an hour using defibrillator and oxygen equipment until an ambulance arrived.

He was transferred to Clydebank’s Golden Jubilee Hospital, and latterly the Victoria Hospital, for treatment before being allowed home on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Press about his ordeal, Steven, of Almond Road, said: “I remember putting the brake on and starting to turn left; before the bus stopped I blacked out.

"I felt fine all day and I’ve never had any problems with my heart or anything, so it was pretty scary.

“I knew something was happening so my first thought was that I have to get the bus stopped.

“I don’t know how long I was out for but a Rennies driver came onto the bus and was speaking to me, and then so did the physio from the team. The two of them did a brilliant job; they kept saying to me to keep my eyes open and asking me questions. They kept me conscious.

“I just want to say thanks to everybody; the police, the ambulance, the fans and Mark and Kenny. Without them, I’m not sure I would still be here.”

Kenny, who was on hand to save the life of Peterhead supporter Val Pearson when he suffered a cardiac arrest before a match in August 2015, said: “It probably couldn’t have happened in a worse place. Trying to get an ambulance was a problem because nobody had local knowledge of where we were, and even when the police turned up, they struggled to get a signal on their radios.

“I knew he was in a bit of trouble and that we needed an ambulance as soon as. I was frantically chucking kit about to find the defibrillator and oxygen; we were doing everything we could to keep him going. The driver of the other bus remained remarkably calm and was a brilliant help.

“His heart rate was low and you know when that happens they can slip unconscious. I was mightily relieved when the ambulance turned up.

“It was pretty scary. Looking back, had he gone the other way (with the coach) it would’ve been catastrophic; there was a steep drop and he did remarkably well to put the bus where he did.”

Kenny added he plans to meet up with Steven as he continues his recovery, who added: “One thing that stuck in my mind was that Kenny kept saying ‘We’re going for a pint’. These two guys are my heroes; I’m due them a few pints!”