- Ebro Ahmed was playing when he noticed a school bus speeding past him with its doors open and warning lights flashing
- He ran towards the bus, climbed aboard and discovered that the driver appeared to have collapsed
- Even though he had never driven a bus before, his quick thinking helped stop the bus, saving the lives of 19 students
Minnesota - A 27-year-old Somali man living in the US has been hailed as a hero after jumping onto a moving school bus and helping save 19 students when their driver suffered a medical emergency.
Source: UGC
Ebro Ahmed was kicking a ball around in Saint Paul when he noticed something unusual: a school bus driving past him at about 10 miles per hour, with its doors open and warning lights flashing.
Somali man jumps onto moving school bus
The vehicle was carrying students from Battle Creek Middle School, and Ahmed immediately sensed that something was wrong.
“When he drove past me, it really shook me,” Ahmed told CBS News. “I was like, ‘What is going on?’”
Although he hesitated briefly, Ahmed decided he could not ignore the situation. He ran towards the bus, climbed aboard and discovered that the driver appeared to be experiencing a medical emergency.
Surveillance footage from a nearby store captured Ahmed stopping his game and rushing towards the moving vehicle.
Ahmed had no experience driving bus
Ahmed disclosed that he had never driven a bus before, making the situation particularly challenging as he tried to bring it under control.
He initially struggled to understand the gear controls, confusing reverse and park and accidentally putting the bus into reverse.
“I started hearing beeps, and we were going backwards,” he recalled. “And then I said, ‘That is not right,’ and I threw it into neutral and pulled the brake.”
His quick thinking helped stop the bus just seconds after he boarded it. The situation was frightening for the children, with Ahmed recalling that some were screaming while others remained calm.
Ahmed relied on his composure and instinct to help protect the children. He felt a personal responsibility to act because young lives were at stake.
“I really felt like it was my duty,” he shared. “It’s kids we’re talking about, you know. Even if I were to die, it would still be worth it.”
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Grey's Anatomy inspired Ebro Ahmed
Two girls seated near the front also helped him during the ordeal. He handed his phone and glasses to one of them before concentrating on stopping the vehicle.
“These two girls on the front really did help me a lot,” he recalled. “I threw my phone and my glasses at one of them and I told her to hold it.”
After bringing the situation under control, Ahmed called 911 for assistance.
While Ahmed's actions required courage and quick thinking, he credited an unexpected source for helping him remain calm: the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy.
He explained that watching the show taught him the importance of keeping a clear head when panic could make matters worse.
School district praises Ahmed
Saint Paul Public Schools confirmed that a medical emergency had occurred aboard the bus on Monday afternoon and that paramedics had responded.
The district sent another bus to collect the students so they could continue their journey home. Some arrived late and may have been upset by the frightening experience.
In a Facebook post, Saint Paul Public Schools publicly thanked Ahmed for his intervention, praising him for helping the driver and ensuring the students reached safety.
“Thank you, Ebro! Helping the driver and ensuring our students got home safely makes you a true hero!” the district wrote.
Fortunately, none of the 19 students aboard the bus was reported injured. Despite the praise he received, Ahmed appeared reluctant to view his actions as extraordinary.
Source: TUKO.co.ke