Passengers praised a bus driver who suffered a severe heart attack while at the wheel but stopped the vehicle safely, with more than 30 passengers onboard, Shanxi Evening News reported on Wednesday.

In the morning of Feb 21, Ping Hongwen, the 50-year-old driver, suffered a heart attack while driving a No 3 bus in Changzhi, Shanxi province.

Despite intense pain, he brought the bus to a halt by slowing the vehicle and applying the handbrake. He then fell in his seat after ensuring the safety of all passengers on board.

The driver was taken to a nearby hospital where it was confirmed that he had suffered an acute heart attack.

Ping remains in stable condition in hospital.

chenghong@chinadaily.com.cn