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Passengers grab wheel after tour bus driver suffers heart attack in central Taiwan

Tour bus passengers headed to a funeral in Nantou, Taiwan desperately take the wheel after driver suffers heart attack

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Passenger takes wheel (center), driver (right). (Internet image)

Passenger takes wheel (center), driver (right). (Internet image)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Passengers on a tour bus in central Taiwan took the wheel to save their lives after the driver suddenly collapsed from an apparent heart attack on Sunday (Dec. 16), reported TVBS.

At 8 a.m. on Sunday a tour bus carrying over 30 people set out from Hemei Township in Changhua bound for a funeral ceremony in Nantou. Suddenly, when passing through Freeway 3, the bus suddenly swerved out of control and clipped a traffic divider.

As can be seen from the video camera inside the bus, the driver is suspected of suffering an acute myocardial infarction coma. Fortunately, a passenger who happened to be sitting next to the driver, quickly grabbed the wheel and helped stabilize the vehicle before seeking help from another passenger.

In the video, the 49-year-old driver surnamed Wang (王) can been seen grabbing his seatbelt in front of his chest and suddenly slumping forward, causing the bus to swerve and violently collide with the median barrier. The man sitting next to him instinctively grabs the wheel and shouts at the driver, but he is not responsive.

The man in the passenger seat then calls for a person from the back to help drive the vehicle. A man rushes forward and helps guide the bus to the side of the road, thus preventing a more serious accident.

Passengers grab wheel after tour bus driver suffers heart attack in central Taiwan
Second passenger (center) grabs wheel, as driver (right) is incapacitated. (Internet image)

The tour bus was reportedly part of a funeral procession of 38 friends and relatives headed to a crematorium in Shuili Township in Nantou County. After the bus was brought to a safe stop, passengers applied CPR to the driver.

An ambulance was dispatched and paramedics rushed Wang to Changhua Christian Hospital. The hospital's vice president said Wang had no vital signs when paramedics reached him, however, doctors were able to resuscitate him.

Doctors are now examining Wang to determine the exact cause of his near fatal collapse. Wang's family members said that he had a history of acute myocardial infarction in the past.

Passengers grab wheel after tour bus driver suffers heart attack in central Taiwan
Paramedic applying CPR to driver. (Internet image)