A Minnesota store clerk who helped rescue nearly 20 children after their school bus driver suffered a medical emergency received a surprise $1,000 check on Thursday.
Sheletta Brundidge arranged the surprise after hearing how Ebro Ahmed rushed into action. To honor him, she also brought in Brian Lepel, a professional Superman performer.
“Not all superheroes wear capes; some are store clerks. So, I wanted to do something to honor him, honor his sacrifice, his bravery, his commitment,” Brundidge told Storyful.
Brundidge said Ahmed plans to invest the money and views the $1,000 as “an opportunity to support his community.”
Ahmed had previously spoken with ABC News about the moment he stepped in to help the bus driver and students.
“I really felt like it was my duty,” Ahmed said. “Also, too, it’s kids we’re talking about, you know. Even if I were to die, it would still be worth it.”
Surveillance footage released by convenience store Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco shows what happened Monday. Ahmed was outside the store when he noticed a school bus passing by with its door wide open.
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Looking inside, he saw the driver apparently having a seizure. Ahmed immediately ran toward the bus, climbed aboard and pulled the emergency brake, stopping it just seconds before anything else happened.
“Some [kids] were screaming. Some [were] calm. These two girls on the front really did help me a lot. I threw my phone and my glasses at one of them and I told her to hold it,” Ahmed recalled.
Ahmed also said the long-running medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” helped him remain composed during the crisis.
“[The show teaches] you about what to do in situations that you never could see yourself in,” Ahmed said. “So it’s just something like, you know, some tips and tricks that you could use for the rest of your life.”
Saint Paul Public Schools confirmed to ABC News that a medical emergency occurred aboard the bus and paramedics responded. No injuries were reported. The students were transferred to another bus and sent home, while counselors checked on them Tuesday following the incident.
A Saint Paul Public Schools spokesperson said the bus driver was later released from the hospital and was recovering at home.
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