A DRIVER who fell off his bus has been left partially paralysed and unable to walk.

Richard Sexton, 45, says he is very concerned about his future as he has to wait and see if the nerve damage suffered during his fall will heal itself.

The bus driver, of St Anne’s Road, Southend, said: “I was in work and went to get off my bus to adjust a mirror. All of a sudden, I lost my footing, went up in the air and came down, landing on my neck and my head. I also hit my back on the way.

“I came too and had a lot of paramedics all round me.

“They couldn’t move me for nearly two and a half hours. By the end, there were three crews and the air ambulance there so they could move me off the bus.”

The Echo initially reported the incident last Thursday when two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and the air ambulance, which landed in the Seaway car park, were dispatched to the scene at Southend bus station.

Shocked witnesses shared concern for Richard as he received treatment in the street.

Richard, who has only been a bus driver for ten months and previously worked for DHL, added: “They put on the ambulance and then from there, rushed me to Southend Hospital where I had a scan.

“I have got a spinal injury and also a trapped nerve in my neck which means the whole right side of my body from the waist down is completely numb.

“I have to use a wheelchair to get around until the swelling subsides on my neck and then I will go back for another MRI.

“They will then look to see if the nerves have freed up and if they’re not then if they’re not then that might mean having surgery but there will be risks with that because of the location.

“It’s really surreal. I can’t walk and I’m in a wheelchair.

“I’m only 45 and have gone from being really active and coaching football to potentially not making a full recovery. I have no idea if it’s going to come back and how my life will be from here on. So it’s been really difficult.

“My younger brother has been an absolute rock. I don’t know what I would’ve done without him. Arriva have also been really supportive. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.

“I also want to thank the medics who rushed to my aid that day.

“They were absolutely amazing, putting me at ease in what was a very terrifying situation.

“I can’t thank them enough for the way they treated me and ensured I got the best care.”

Bus company Arriva declined to comment when contacted by the Echo.