A BUS driver interviewed by police after a 24-year-old nurse was hit as she waited to cross the road today said: "She banged her own head against the bus".

Ian Moorcroft, who has worked for Accrington-based Pilkington's for more than six years, was interviewed after the incident involving Joanne Farmer, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, on Monday.

Mr Moorcroft said he saw Miss Farmer as he approached a pelican crossing close to her home.

He went on: "I'm shocked at what she claims. I had people on the bus at the time and they heard a bang.

"The first thing I did was to see if I'd hit a vehicle on my right side because I was no where near her or the kerb.

"She was stopped at the edge of the kerb when I saw her, she stepped back and what I think has happened is that she stepped forward as I went past and banged her own head against the side of the bus.

"I have passengers on the bus who said the same thing and who would be able to clarify the incident."

Miss Farmer, who works as a staff nurse at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, said she had been hit as she looked in the opposite direction to the bus, watching for the pelican lights to change.

Sergeant Stuart Isherwood, who works in the traffic division based in Accrington, said enquiries were continuing.

Miss Farmer was not seriously injured in the collision but said she was upset by the way a man from Pilkington's spoke to her when she rang to inform them about the incident.

Miss Farmer claims she was told it was her own fault if she could not see a bus coming.

The company also put down the telephone several times when a reporter from the Lancashire Evening Telegraph rang but eventually said it had asked the driver to apologise.

Mr Moorcroft went on: "I have not been asked to apologise to her."

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