THE brother of a bus driver left fighting for his life after an accident in Chippenham said the family are hoping to have him home for Christmas.

Nigel Allen, 49, was left with a broken collarbone, broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a broken neck following the accident on the A4 between Chippenham and Bath on November 13.

He was driving a 17-seater Fosseway Coaches bus, which was carrying 11 passengers, including five children aged between 18 months and four years.

His bus skidded and crashed into a field at Chequers Hill, near the Sainsbury's roundabout, and then smashed into a tree.

It is believed an object, which was hanging from a flatbed transit truck, struck the minibus.

Yesterday, Don Trinby, 47, Mr Allen' s brother, said he spent two days in a coma and is still critically ill, but his family are hoping he could be home for Christmas.

"I would like to think he will be home but it is still early days," said Mr Trinby, a joiner who lives in Frome, speaking during a press conference at Chippenham Police Station yesterday.

"He has been floating in and out of consciousness but has recognised some of our family when they have been there.

"We are just full of hope that he will come through, and are grateful that he is alive because initially we were told he would not make it to the hospital."

Mr Trinby said he and his brother's partner, who does not want her identity revealed, had kept a vigil at Mr Allen's bedside since the accident.

He said his brother, who lives in Chapmanslade, near Warminster, was a shy, private person, who had worked for Fosseway Coaches for three years.

"He gets on well with people and so many of the passengers have called to leave messages or sent cards," added Mr Trinby.

PC Chris Barham of Chippenham police has appealed for witnesses.

"We know there were two vehicles travelling in opposite directions when the accident took place," said PC Barham.

He said the bus was hit on its nearside and ended up in a field.

Witnesses should call police on (01249) 654455.