A bus driver who was seriously injured after he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a parked van, told rescuers the steering wheel had given way, witnesses told The Sunday Times.

The incident happened at around noon in Main Street, Dingli, when the bus being driven by 46-year-old Joseph Grech, who is from the village, veered into a parked Isuzu van. On impact, the van hit a wall.

A woman said she was in the kitchen when she suddenly heard a loud noise outside.

She said the driver, known in the locality as ‘Millions’, was complaining about pain in his abdomen and legs. He had to be freed from the wreckage by members of the Civil Protection Department.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance where it was discovered he had suffered other injuries.