A BUS driver accused of causing death by dangerous driving fought back tears yesterday as he relived the moment he saw a woman crushed by his vehicle.

Alfred Cunningham, aged 56, of Eureka Place, Ebbw Vale, who denies the charge, was giving evidence during the second day of his trial at Newport crown court yesterday.

Mother of two Jane Humphries, 57, was left critically injured after being trapped against a wall by the bus as she left work at the Harding Evans solicitors office on Newport's North Street on June 23, 2001.

Mrs Humphries died of her injuries ten days later in the intensive care unit of Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital.

Cunningham fainted as he approached the corner and has no memory of the actual crash.

In the witness stand, Cunningham told the court how he had fainted on four previous occasions, the first while flying to Majorca in 1991.

He said that he had been examined in 1992 and told that the symptoms were probably caused by altitude, alcohol and dehydration.

He said he had disclosed this information to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and they had passed him as fit to drive buses.

Questioned by prosecuting barrister Eugene Egan, Cunningham said that on the day of the crash he had felt normal until seconds before he passed out.

Cunningham said: "As I approached the bend I felt sick and decided to get round the corner and pull over where it was safe to stop, I put my hand to my mouth and the next thing I knew I was on the floor of the bus.

"I came to and just tried to remember what had happened. I got up and went to the front of the bus, picking up bits and pieces that had fallen out of my bag. "Then I saw this woman trapped by the bus. I was so taken aback I sat down, trying to think what I could do.

"Then I heard sirens and lots of confused shouting. "A fireman asked if I was OK and whether I could make the bus safe, which I did."

The case continues.