VANCOUVER, British Columbia An off-duty driver for Colonial Trailways of Mobile, Ala., is being praised for taking control of an Olympics shuttle bus and steering it to safety after the shuttle driver suffered an apparent heart attack.

The off-duty driver, Charles Campbell, was one of five drivers who were being shuttled to pick up the buses they would drive that day when the incident occurred at about 4 a.m. on the Trans-Canada Highway in Coquitlam, B.C.

According to a report in The Vancouver Sun, Campbell managed to guide the bus to a safe stop in the highways HOV lane.

The 71-year-old driver, whose identify was not released by Canadian authorities, was pronounced dead at the scene. He reportedly was a retired Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. Metro Transit driver who had been hired to drive buses during the Olympics. His wife reportedly also was driving shuttles during the Winter Games.

"The actions of those on board to safely stop the bus, and provide assistance to the driver in an attempt to resuscitate him should be commended," Royal Canadian Mounted Police Corporal Lea-Anne Dunlop said in a news release.

"Their actions ensured not only the safety of those on board but of other motorists on the roadway as well."

Campbell reportedly noticed the drivers head bobbing oddly, so he got out of his seat and went to check. He found the man apparently dead at the wheel and the bus weaving into oncoming traffic.

Campbell wrested control of the vehicle and brought it safely to a stop. He and two other Colonial drivers attempted to resuscitate the man.

Colonial President Frank Montgomery said Campbell always does an outstanding job of handling his passengers, and quickly became one of the companys most-requested drivers after joining the company as a part-time driver two years ago.

"In speaking to Charles, I can attest he was particularly excited about being assigned to the Vancouver job," said Montgomery.

"Charles personifies what a professional motorcoach operator should be through his professionalism and attention to detail, accompanied by his genuine concern for passenger safety and satisfaction. We are very blessed and proud to have him on our team," said Montogomery.

On the bus the day of the incident and assisting him were two other Colonial Trailways operators, James Ethington and Gene Tucker.

"We are equally proud of them," said Montogomery.

Campbell is the brother of Gale Ellsworth, president and CEO of the Trailways Transportation System.