A COACH driver who helped evacuate 36 West Somerset pensioners from a coach minutes before it was engulfed in flames has been commended for his bravery.

Kenneth Short was presented with a Royal Humane Society award this week for his actions in an horrific road traffic accident in Carhampton.

Motorcyclist Adrian Pavey was killed instantly in a collision with a coach driven by Mr Short in August last year.

An inquest into his death earlier this year heard that he was probably travelling at about 80mph at the time of the accident.

Mr Short, who told the hearing he did not think he could have done anything to avoid the collision, was praised by West Somerset coroner Michael Rose for keeping his head in the aftermath of the collision.

Mr Short was driving a coach owned by East Anstey-based Blakes Coaches, bringing a group of pensioners home from a day trip n Devon.

With the front of the coach ablaze, Mr Short helped the elderly passengers off the vehicle.

And as the last person stepped off, front and rear airbags connected to the coach's suspension exploded, engulfing the entire vehicle in flames.

Mr Short, from Taunton, received his award at a ceremony at Avon and Somerset police's Portishead headquarters, which was attended by chief constable Colin Port, the High Sheriff of Somerset Sylvana Chandler and new police commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

Mr Short was one of 15 people being honoured.

Mr Port said: "The deeds we have heard about today from members of the public and officers are just wonderful.

"I congratulate them all on what they have done and what they have achieved."