A BUS driver who was at the wheel of the first vehicle to cross the newly repaired Eastham Bridge when it reopened after its dramatic collapse has retired after years of service.

Derek Trow had escaped being caught up in the collapse by seconds in May 2016, having been driving his school bus towards it as it fell into the river Teme.

Emergency services, including the police helicopter, were scrambled to the scene near Tenbury Wells at 3.30pm on May 24.

Ludlow Advertiser: Eastham Bridge collapsed just seconds before two minibuses headed over itEastham Bridge collapsed just seconds before two minibuses headed over it (Image: Ludlow Advertiser)

Incredibly, although at the time eyewitness Alan Sheldon, from Worcester, said there were two minibuses just yards from the bridge, while he also stood nearby, there were no injuries.

The bridge, built in 1793, was a grade II listed building, and its collapse effectively cut the village of Eastham off from the A443.

Ludlow Advertiser: The scene of devastation after Eastham Bridge collapsed into the river TemeThe scene of devastation after Eastham Bridge collapsed into the river Teme (Image: Ludlow Advertiser)

It was the start of an eleven-month ordeal for Tenbury locals, who had to take a lengthy and inconvenient 10-mile diversion to cross the river Teme while works went on to repair the bridge.

It was a major job, with more than 12,000 bricks reclaimed from the old structure and used as cladding to face the new 33-metre long, 84 tonne braced steel beams used to create the new span, and the reinforced concrete-pile foundations.

And, despite his near miss just eleven months earlier, Derek Trow was at the wheel of the first vehicle to cross the new bridge when it opened in 2017, as he took a group of children from Lindridge School back home to Eastham.

Ludlow Advertiser: Derek Trow was behind the wheel of the first vehicle to cross Eastham Bridge after it was rebuiltDerek Trow was behind the wheel of the first vehicle to cross Eastham Bridge after it was rebuilt (Image: Ludlow Advertiser)

Locals turned out in force to watch him traverse the bridge, which was still undergoing works at the time, but had reached a point where it could be opened under signal control.

Now, seven years on from the collapse of Eastham Bridge, Mr Trow has retired.

Eastham village paid an emotional farewell to the popular bus driver, who was handed presents and cards to mark his final day, local Celia Adams said.