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A dramatic moment unfolded on a Mississippi highway this week when a group of middle school students demonstrated remarkable courage and quick thinking. They managed to prevent a potential disaster by stopping their school bus after the driver lost consciousness.
The incident occurred with around 40 students from Hancock Middle School on board. Their driver, 46-year-old Leah Taylor, had just departed the school when she was suddenly struck by an asthma attack, as reported by The Associated Press.
In an attempt to manage her condition, Taylor reached for her medication but unfortunately passed out before administering it.
In the face of danger, the students didn’t hesitate. They immediately took action to steer the bus to safety, averting what could have been a serious accident.
This event underscores the bravery and quick response of the young students who stepped up in a critical moment, ensuring their safety and that of their peers.
Sixth grader Jackson Casnave, 12, who was sitting behind the driver, noticed the bus begin to swerve. He rushed forward to grab the wheel and called for help.
“I didn’t have time to process my emotions,” Casnave said. “I just wanted to make sure that nobody got hurt.”
Darrius Clark, who is also 12, then hit the brakes, and the students steered the bus to a median and brought it to a stop.
Students sprang into action to stop a school bus after the driver passed out, bringing the vehicle to a safe stop. (WLOX via AP)
Clark’s sister, Kayleigh, 13, called 911, later saying she struggled to hear the operator over the screams from classmates.
“I was scared, but also I had to help,” Kayleigh said.
Eighth grader Destiny Cornelius, 15, saw the driver holding a nebulizer and helped administer the medication, while 13-year-old McKenzy Finch assisted.
Students at Hancock Middle School in Mississippi helped stop a school bus after the driver lost consciousness, preventing a crash. (Google Maps)
Finch also noticed the driver’s phone ringing and alerted the district’s transportation team about what had happened.
Taylor, who has since made a full recovery, praised the students for their actions.
“I’m grateful for my students,” Taylor said. “They’re the ones that saved my life and everybody else’s on that bus.”
The students were honored at a school pep rally Friday and are set to receive a celebratory lunch next week, The AP reported.
“What they did took courage,” the school’s principal, Dr. Melissa Saucier, said. “They didn’t wait for somebody to step in, they stepped up themselves, and that says a lot about their character.”
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