FIREFIGHTERS raced against the clock to save a bus driver's arm, crushed as he checked a problem with the vehicle's suspension.

Brian Whitmore, 57, was just minutes away from losing his arm under the rapidly-sinking chassis when fire crews managed to free him.

The drama took place last night outside St Bede's School, in Duke's Drive, Eastbourne, when Mr Whitmore stopped his single decker after hearing a hissing sound.

He put his right arm under the wheel arch to see if he could feel where the air leak was coming from.

As he did so, the suspension collapsed, trapping his arm between the wheel arch and the tyre.

Fire crews from Eastbourne were on the scene in minutes.

Sub Officer Kevin Sharpe said: "He was in dreadful pain and must have been trapped like that for about ten minutes before we got there.

"The vehicle was gradually comigg down on his arm and he was complaining that he couldn't feel his hand."

Rescuers put chocks underneath the vehicle to stop it sinking any further and then inserted an airbag to lift the wheel arch.

Mr Whitmore was treated at hospital for severe bruising.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.