A LEWISHAM bus driver has spoken of the journey he will “never forget” when he helped deliver a baby during rush hour.

Vently Hewitt pulled over the 106 to play midwife after a woman went into labour in the back of his bus just after 5.30pm earlier this month.

The bus driver of 12 years was alerted to the woman’s screams, called an ambulance and shepherded 20 passengers onto the street to give the mum-to-be privacy.

The 47-year-old then assisted the paramedic – who arrived by motorbike ahead of an ambulance - fetching equipment to help deliver the baby boy within a swift half an hour.

He said: “At first it was scary as I didn’t know what was going on and I was concerned for her safety but then I realised what was happening.

“I did whatever the paramedic asked me, but apart from that I didn't want to intervene too much in such a private moment.

“I saw him after he was born and he was a nice little boy. I was just surprised that it had all happened so quickly, within half an hour. It was unbelievable.

"I didn't really think about it until later but it was a special moment and it was a day I'll never forget."

The hardworking hero, who lives in the borough with his partner and adopted son, took a brief break after the birth before heading back to finish his shift.

Mother and baby were taken to Homerton Hospital following the unusual birth on Lower Clapton Road on August 2 and are both said to be well.

This is only the third bus birth in London with a delivery on route 394 in Hackney in 2009, followed by one on route 145 in Dagenham last year.

Transport for London's managing director for surface transport Leon Daniels said: “Mr Hewitt went above and beyond the call of duty and all credit to him for ensuring that all passengers were ok and assisting the paramedic with the delivery.”