Matt Jones

We have great pleasure in recognising Matt Jones, for his actions that helped to save the life of Stephen Bustin.

Matt is a bus driver who works for Arriva. He had just arrived at King Street bus station after just driving the Chester route, when his son-in-law came running over and shouted “have you seen Steve? He is having a heart attack”.

They both then ran over to Steve’s bus, where to their horror they found Steve lying on the floor, clutching his chest and struggling to breathe.

Matt questioned him as to whether he had eaten anything? Steve replied “no, not since this morning”.

Matt checked his pulse which he confirmed was racing, Steve was sweating profusely and his heart was pounding.

Matt’s colleague Dan phoned for an ambulance, but he was told there would be over an hour’s wait.

Matt kept holding Steve, instructing him to keep coughing. Matt knew what to do in these circumstances, as his son Archie has cardiac heart problems and he has received training on what to do in this situation.

Realising they were in a life-threatening situation, Matt and Dan made the decision to drive the Arriva bus to the emergency department at the hospital.

When they arrived, Dan ran in and alerted the nurses and medical staff.

Steve’s heart stopped 4 times and he has had 2 stents inserted. There is no doubt he owes his life to the quick thinking that day. Matt knew to keep Steve taking deep breaths and cough vigorously.

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After the emergency Matt returned to work and carried on the day, driving the Arriva No.1 bus to Chester!