Four pedestrians were hurt after a bus driver collapsed and died at the wheel and his vehicle ploughed into them in Ludlow.

After mounting the pavement, the town service bus knocked over four women, two of whom were seriously hurt. It then smashed into The Feathers Hotel in Bull Ring.

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Witnesses described hearing a loud bang as the bus smashed into the hotel yesterday, at about 5.25pm.

Emergency services were called, but the driver could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.

The four women were taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital but none of them is believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

Speaking at the scene, Julie Davies, of Ludlow, said: “The whole town is shocked by what has happened.

“It is terribly sad and awful that so many others are injured as well.”

A Bridgnorth woman, who asked not to be named, was drinking in the Feathers at the time of the collision. She said she heard “an almighty bang” as she sat down. “We ran to look outside and a bus had crashed into the side of the building,” she said.

“One girl was definitely stuck under the bus and three others were run over.

“It is terrifying, but our thoughts go out to the families of those involved.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Chris Kowalik said: “Crews arrived to find a bus which collided with The Feathers Hotel.

“As crews began to deal with the situation, the Royal Shrewsbury and Hereford County hospitals were both put on alert for any potential casualties.

“Four pedestrians, all of them young women, were injured in the incident. Two of them had minor injuries, the other two had more serious injuries.

“All four were taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

“Ambulance crews with the help of fire crews worked together to treat the driver of the bus. Despite their collective efforts, nothing could be done to save him and he died at the scene.”

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call West Mercia Police on 03003 333000.

By Andrew Morris and Jonathan Wood