A PEDESTRIAN mown down by an out-of-control double decker has told how he got up and walked into a pub.

The No 17 bus careered on to the pavement and ran into Simon Smith from behind.

13 Simon Smith was thrown 45ft after being hit by a double decker bus Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He was dragged along, hitting his head on the windscreen and shattering it.

Then he was thrown 45ft — saving him from being crushed under the wheels.

But instead of waiting for help, Simon picked himself up and ducked into the Purple Turtle boozer in Reading.

13 CCTV footage of the crash has now been viewed millions of times Credit: southwest news

13 Instead of waiting for help, Simon picked himself up and walked into a nearby boozer Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

CCTV of the drama has been viewed millions of times.

Married Simon told us: "I came down the street, it was early morning, I'd gone to pay in a wage cheque at my bank.

“I make that journey every Saturday. I didn't think anything of it.

“But then I heard some banging behind me and I was hit from behind.

13 Police did not believe Simon's tale until they saw the CCTV Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

13 Debris is seen flying through the air as Simon cowers from the bus Credit: southwest news

“Then you can see what happened from the CCTV. The video says it all.”

He added: "I didn't tense because I didn't know it was coming. After it I just wanted to get somewhere safe.

"It's quite funny everybody think I have gone for a pint.

"I was actually looking for a place of refuge when I went into the doorway of the pub."

But he did get to have a beer after getting discharged from hospital following checks.

13 He staggers up and walks off to the pub Credit: southwest news

13 Simon says he feels 'very lucky to be alive' after the horror crash Credit: southwest news

Police did not believe his tale — until they saw the CCTV. They are now investigating.

“I hadn’t lost consciousness so I knew what had happened.

“But the police and paramedics didn’t believe me.

“Originally they were all in agreement because if I had been hit by the bus, I wouldn’t be here.

“I said ‘I’m sure the bus hit me’ and they kept saying ‘No you were hit by debris’.

“An officer then saw the CCTV at the pub and came back and said ‘I’m really sorry you were right’.

13 Simon can be seen curling into a ball after being hit by the bus Credit: southwest news

HGV driver Simon, of Earley, near Reading, Berks, said: "I feel very lucky to be alive.

“On another day I would have been with my wife and my five-year-old walking with them.

“I’m feeling quite traumatised that I should be dead and that could have been them."

Simon escaped with cuts and bruises after the shocking collision in Reading town centre last Saturday at 9am outside The Purple Turtle where he used to work.

He added bravely: "Time will tell but I dont’ think I’ve broken any bones.”

"It's mostly extensive bruising and gravel rash.

"I'm very thankful to be here, because really I shouldn't be here.”

13 The aftermath of the crash revealed the windscreen of the bus was smashed Credit: southwest news/Nic Hoskins

13 Debris was littered along the road after the shocking crash Credit: south west news / nic Hoskins

Daniel Fraifeld, 50, who co-owns the Purple Turtle, said: "I think Simon pretty much got up, brushed himself down and then an ambulance came and took him to be checked.

"He got looked over and didn't have any lasting injuries - but he's covered in scrapes and bruises.

"He then got released from the hospital and I think he just went for a pint to relax."

Cops and the bus firm are trying to work out what caused it to crash leaving the road showered in glass.

It is also believed to have crashed into a bin before hitting a building and then the wall of St Mary's Minister.

A second person was also injured by debris and taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment.

13 Police were called in to investigate the crash Credit: southwest news/ Nic Hoskins

13 Simon notices the bus coming up behind him just a fraction before the crash Credit: BBC Berkshiresouthwest news

13 The man braces himself for impact, having noticed the bus just a second before it hit him Credit: southwest news

A spokesman from South Central Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 9.12am reporting a bus having hit a lamp post at the above location, and then taken down a shop canopy."

Reading Buses said: "The incident is the subject of an ongoing internal investigation as well as an investigation by the police with whom we are working and sharing footage from our on-board CCTV.