TWENTY people were injured today when a York bus driver had to brake to avoid a young girl who stepped into a road outside a city school.

The bus passengers were thrown forward after the driver of a number ten First Bus braked sharply to avoid the schoolgirl, who was trying to cross Hull Road, near Archbishop Holgate's School.

Eight passengers were taken to York Hospital, six of them school pupils.

An ambulance spokesman said a man, believed to be in his late-40s, was treated for "significant" head injuries and another man received rib injuries. The school pupils were treated for cuts and bruises

The youngsters with minor injuries were discharged from hospital this morning. The adults were expected to be discharged this afternoon.

Twelve walking wounded, aged between 12 and 15 and suffering from injuries like cuts and bruises, were checked over by paramedics in the school library before starting lessons.

Tributes have been paid to the bus driver for his quick thinking.

Passenger Sue Doughty, who got on the bus at Stamford Bridge, said: "A girl walked across the road, she couldn't see the bus because of traffic in the other lane.

"The bus driver slammed all on to avoid her, and kids that had been standing on the bus ready to get off fell forward.

"They were thrown to the floor, piled two or three on top of each other.

"They were absolutely hysterical. They could not get up because bags were piled on top of them.

"One man hit his head on the windscreen and the windscreen smashed.

"Luckily there was a doctor on board and he checked the kids over."

Peter McCarthy, head of service delivery at First York, said: "The driver was shocked, but unhurt. It sounds like a kid ran out in the middle of the road unexpectedly."

Traffic Constable Steve Earnshaw said: "The bus driver did extremely well to avoid this girl.

"This incident also serves to illustrate the point that people travelling on a bus should stay seated until the bus has stopped."

School assistant head John Stone said the girl pedestrian was uninjured, but in a state of shock and recovering at home.

"Our thanks goes out to the driver of the First York bus," said Mr Stone.

"I know the injuries on the bus were serious, but he avoided the pedestrian."

Head teacher John Harris said the accident was nobody's fault, but highlighted the need for better traffic calming measures in Hull Road.

"Today has reinforced what we are already working on," he said.

"We want the speed limit on Hull Road to be reduced to 30 miles per hour and we're working very hard with City of York Council to encourage safe routes to school and upgrade the two crossings."

Police are appealing for witnesses to phone them on 01904 669884.

In September, five children suffered minor injuries when a double-decker First bus that had been transporting them to school shuddered to a halt in Hull Road, York.

It was believed that two cyclists pulled out of a junction into its path outside Archbishop Holgate's School.

Updated: 14:21 Monday, November 01, 2004