AN elderly woman was badly bruised and shaken after a bus driver set off before she had time to disembark.

Doris Stevens, 84, who walks with the aid of a stick, was travelling from town to her home at Malvern House, Webheath, on the 68 bus belonging to First when the accident happened.

She prepared to get off with a number of other passengers at the Forebridge Close bus stop but, because she walks fairly slowly, she failed to reach the door before the driver pulled off again.

She fell on to her back and received several bad bruises.

Mrs Stevens' sister-in-law Vera Rice said: "Doris is 84. Bus drivers should take into account that elderly people are not able to get off a bus as quickly as younger people.

"The bus had stopped, she tried to get off and the bus driver just pulled off without even looking at her in the mirror.

"She is badly bruised and very shaken and upset after her ordeal.

"We know the driver was not doing anything malicious, but more care needs to be taken."

A First spokesman said: "This was a very unfortunate incident.

"A number of incidents similar to this have been reported to all bus companies over the last few years which is peculiar as safety on buses has actually improved."

"The bus driver immediately reported the incident to his superiors and to local police and a thorough investigation will take place."