A MAN was rushed to hospital with chest injuries after he was trapped underneath a bus in a Worcester street.

The accident happened in Langdale Drive, Warndon, shortly after 2pm yesterday.

"It happened so fast," said Jackie Smith, one of the passengers on the number 35 Brickfields service bus.

The mother-of-six was one of two passengers on board and had stood up to press the bell to get off the bus.

"I heard the driver say 'Oh my God'," said Mrs Smith, of Keswick Drive, Warndon.

"I heard a bang and then all you could hear was the man's moans from underneath the bus.

"I had never heard anything like it, and then the moans stopped," said the catering assistant, aged 46.

"He didn't seem to have anyone with him. I didn't look because it was all so horrible.

"It happened so quickly I don't think even the driver could say what he looked like."

Father-of-three Ken Long, aged 49, of Langdale Drive, Warndon, said he heard the bus skid.

"I went out to see what had happened and could see a man's feet sticking out from underneath the bus," he said.

"I think the man was in his 50s from what other people were saying."

Ambulances arrived at the scene three minutes after they received the call, followed by firefighters and police, who blocked off the road for an hour-and-a-half. Firefighters freed the victim within 15 minutes of reaching the scene.

"There were loads of police cars - about nine - and police were taking photographs," added Mr Long.

"The fire brigade came and lifted the bus off him using air bags. He must have massive chest injuries."

PC Paul Smith, of Worcester police, said that the injured man had been taken to hospital.

"It's not believed at this stage that his injuries are life threatening," said PC Smith.

"I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision to contact me on 01905 723888."

The bus driver was taken to hospital to be treated for shock.

A spokesman for First Midland Red said a full investigation would be carried out.