SHANGHAI - A bus driver who suffered a heart attack while driving stopped his vehicle safely by the road despite being on the brink of death.

On June 9, Xie Shihai, 42, was driving service 177 in Shanghai with 10 passengers on board when he fell ill.

Despite suffering an eventually fatal heart attack, he braked slowly and brought the bus to a stop before collapsing.

Xie's foot was still on the brake pedal when passengers went to his aid and tried to pull him from the driver's seat, reports said.

Video footage shows his chest being pumped, apparently by a passenger. He was taken to hospital but could not be saved.

"He should be respected, we all appreciate what he has done. He was so dedicated," a passenger said.