A 45-YEAR-OLD man was "crushed" under a bus after he chased youths intimidating him, a witness claims.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene in Baring Road, Grove Park, at 9.45pm yesterday evening after he became trapped under the double decker vehicle.

Bijal Sha, the manager of Grove Park Pharmacy, claims the victim had come in the store for help minutes before his death.

He told Mr Sha a group of youths were intimidating him, and used the shop's phone to call police.

Several minutes later, Mr Sha answered a telephone call from the police, asking to speak to the victim.

However, at the same time the victim suddenly ran towards the youths, claims Mr Sha.

The 45-year-old said he then witnessed the man being hit by the bus on Baring Road.

Mr Sha said: "He suddenly ran towards the children because they were harassing him.

"I was just behind him and he did not realise he was approaching Baring Road.

"The bus just crushed him.

"I knew him as a customer for many years, he is a gentle guy and he was being intimidated.

"He came into the shop and asked for help."

Firefighters used airbags to lift the double-decker vehicle to reach the man at around 6.30pm, a spokesman said.

A spokesman from London Ambulance Service said the man suffered a serious head injury.

He was taken to Lewisham Hospital.

A police spokesman said the driver of the bus stopped at the scene.

Firefighters from Lewisham, Downham and Lewisham were also called to the scene.

There were also two ambulances and a fast response car there.

The incident caused heavy road congestion for around an hour in the surrounding area.

A spokesman from Metrobus said: "Yesterday evening one of our vehicles on route 261 was involved in a collision with a pedestrian. Sadly, the pedestrian lost his life due to his injuries.

"Our sympathies are with the family of the man that lost his life.

"We are helping the police with their investigation into the incident."

The 261 route runs from Downham to Lewisham bus station.

In 2001, 15-year-old Christian Stewart died after he went under the wheels of a bus near the scene of last night's incident.

The accident happened outside Grove Park train station, at the junction of Downham Way and Baring Road.

Any witnesses to last night's incident are being asked to call 020 8285 1574.

A post-mortem for the victim will be held at Ladywell mortuary.