Police said the man, aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital for injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.

Ionut Christian Biraz (39), of no fixed address, was charged with assault causing harm to the 63-year-old bus driver

The motorist was left terrified that they had hit a real person

The Armed Response Unit eventually brought the vehicle to a stop on the M1 near Lisburn.

Details of the near-fatal incident at the level crossing located between Ballyhaunis and Claremorris are revealed in a new report by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit.