Bengaluru: The presence of mind of a KSRTC driver, who suffered a heart attack while on duty, ensured the safety of 56 persons travelling in a bus, here on Saturday.

The bus was on its way from Bengaluru to Chitradurga. Driver Ramachandrappa complained to the conductor about chest pain near highway (NH-4) near T Begur in Nelamangala Rural District.

He was writhing in pain but couldn’t bear the thought of putting passengers’ lives to risk and told conductor that he would be stopping the bus. He stopped the vehicle on the side of the road.

Passengers arranged for medical aid and took him to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead. KSRTC officials sent another bus after the incident and also announced compensation to the family of the deceased.