A Swindon pensioner has been left asking just how bad his luck is after he lost his keys on the bus home - just a week after he was knocked over by one.

Terry Austin, who lives in Old Town, was the victim of two freakish incidents in a month.

He has now hit out at the Swindon Bus Company after not being able to get in touch with them to discuss the incidents.

Speaking of the most recent incident, which happened on Wednesday (April 12), Terry, 80, said: “I keep my key in my breast pocket of my shirt and take it out when I am close to home and put it in my coat pocket ready to use.

“Yet when I got home on Wednesday, I didn’t have my key.”

He returned to the previous locations in a desperate search to find the missing key.

Swindon Advertiser: Terry was travelling on one of the buses in Swindon when he lost his house key.Terry was travelling on one of the buses in Swindon when he lost his house key. (Image: Dave Cox)

“When we got to Princes Street we were told that they were changing buses and we had to get off so I went back to the second bus and checked that but found nothing,” said Terry.

“I also checked Princes Street but again, nothing.”

Just a month earlier, he was crossing to a bus near the B&M store in Bridgemead when the doors closed on him and the bus moved off, leaving Terry to fall to the ground.

His left coat arm was ripped.

“There was a lot of blood coming from my elbow and I cut the palm of my hand," he added.

Swindon Advertiser: Terry was left frustrated at not being able to contact Swindon Bus Company with the phone number provided.Terry was left frustrated at not being able to contact Swindon Bus Company with the phone number provided. (Image: Dave Cox)

Following both occasions, Terry encountered problems contacting Swindon Bus Company.

“After the accident the hospital tried to call the number but they could not get through to them,” said the pensioner.

“I’ve tried to ring their number as well since after losing the key and I’ve called it so many times, I know it off by heart.”

The whole experience has left Terry feeling worse for wear and helpless.

“I feel frustrated as when you’re 80 years old, you hate making mistakes,” he said.

“I’m really angry that it is this difficult to get in touch.”

Paul Coyne, Swindon’s Bus Company operations manager said: “I was sorry to learn that our customer mislaid his keys. I can confirm that I met with him today and explained that unfortunately, despite my colleagues searching for them, they had not been found. 

“When I met with the customer, I asked him for details of the telephone number he had attempted to call, and I was able to reassure him that the number is in full working order.

“Our team is continuing to look out for the keys, and we will get in touch should they be located.”