AN OFF-DUTY Dundee firefighter who helped a man hurt in a crash between a bus and car yesterday denied he was a hero.

Steven Adams, who only joined Tayside Fire and Rescue in February, was driving home from visiting his girlfriend on Tuesday when he passed the scene of a collision between a car and a bus carrying 17 passengers.

The accident between a Vauxhall Vectra and the Citylink bus travelling east occurred on Riverside Avenue at its junction with Perth Road around 10pm.

Steven (22) was there before the other emergency services and he was able to administer first aid.

The car driver was trapped and had suffered head injuries. Steven made sure he was not moved until paramedics arrived.

The couple were taken to Ninewells Hospital for treatment and later released. No one on the bus was injured.

Steven, who underwent a 16-week basic training course and is now based at Macalpine Road fire station, said, “I just made sure the area was safe and there was not going to be any further harm to the casualty.

“It was just a normal reaction—I’d definitely not call myself a hero.”

Steven is certain joining Tayside Fire and Rescue was the right choice.

“It’s the best job in the world,” he said.

“You get the chance to help people and it is exciting.

“But it’s not all about going to fires—we train and we do a lot of work to try and prevent accidents happening in the first place.”

He added, “I wouldn’t be in the paper if I’d been on duty, so I shouldn’t be just because I was off duty. It’s the same job.”

Station manager Andy Hermiston said, “Although he’s only a few months into his service he has demonstrated the true tradition of the fire service by responding to an emergency even when they are off duty.”

A man has been charged with careless driving in connection with the accident.