Bus passengers were asked to get out and push when a National Express coach broke down in Mildenhall.

Bus passengers were asked to get out and push when a National Express coach broke down in Mildenhall.

Ronald and Heather Farebrother, who had just returned from a relaxing break on the Amalfi coast in Italy, were on the 11.15am bus from Heathrow airport to Norwich when “the coach stopped dead in its tracks and started to make an incredible noise. We'd never heard anything like it”.

Mr Farebrother, 77, said: “We all got out hoping the bus would start with a lighter load, but it wouldn't move. The driver then asked the passengers to get behind and push the bus which was blocking a busy junction.

“Even with all the young people pushing, the bus still wouldn't move. I was going to help as well but I've got a dicky knee and I didn't want to put it under too much strain. In the end a small Ford car gave the bus a tug round the corner.”

A spokesman for National Express said: “Health and safety of our employees and customers is of paramount importance and we are investigating the incident and we will make a full report after talking to the driver.”

Passengers waited for about an hour for a replacement bus to take them to Norwich.