Heroic former bus driver who led passengers to safety during Birmingham pub bombings honoured
A former bus driver who led his terrified passengers to safety during the Birmingham pub bombings has been honoured for his actions more than 40 years on.
Tony Gaynor's bus came within inches of being hit during the IRA attack on the second city.
The quick-thinking driver guided his conductor and two passengers away from danger as panic gripped the city.
Mr Gaynor was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by National Express and given a ride on one of the company's new buses on his 84th birthday.
Twenty-one people died and more than 180 were injured when the pubs were bombed in 1974 in one of the deadliest attacks on Britian during the Troubles.
Mr Gaynor, who lives in Kidderminster, recalled the terror in the city as the bombs hit. He was driving near the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town when they were hit. He said he initially thought his bus had been hit by another vehicle when he heard the loud bang.
He said: "As I came round the corner in the centre I heard a loud bang, I thought I had been hit by a lorry or something. I drove around to get into New Street to see what happened then I realised what it was.
"A few minutes later another bomb went off and somebody shouted 'there's bombs everywhere'."
Most of Mr Gaynor's passengers scrambled off the bus in an effort to flee to safety but an elderly couple and a woman who worked as a conductor were left behind.
He said: "I brought them out in the open, I felt they needed to get out. I thought the bus could explode. I took them over to where there were some taxis."
Mr Gaynor, who drove buses in Birmingham for around 15 years, was later told his bus came incredibly close to being hit.
National Express chose to honour the former bus driver following a request by his family.
Communications manager Brian Bannister said: "It was the least we could for a hero and former colleague. It was a pleasure to meet him."
