13 year-old boy took control of school bus after driver passed out behind the wheel
A heroic seventh grader saved the lives of his classmates after he took control of a school bus when the driver went unconscious behind the wheel.
Dillon Reeves, 13, was on his way home from Carter Middle School in Warren, Massachusetts, along with 66 other students when his bus driver became light-headed and passed out on Wednesday afternoon.
Surveillance footage showed the driver notifying others on her radio that she felt ‘dizzy’ and was going to pull over. Before she could stop, she then started to shake before slumping over on the steering wheel.
For several seconds the bus continued slowly straight until Reeves rushed to the front to take control. The brave student quickly found the brake pedal and parked the bus on Masonic Boulevard.
In the confusion, Reeves still had the wherewithal to tell his friends to call 911, video posted by WXYZ showed.
No one was hurt injured during the horrific incident but the students can be heard in the footage screaming as Reeves slammed on the breaks.
The bus driver was transported to a local hospital where she remains under care.
The Warren Consolidated School officials held a press conference to commend Reeves’ heroic act.
‘He stood up, he assessed the situation and saw that the driver had passed out. This was an extraordinary act of courage,’ Superintendent Robert Livernois said.
‘He jumped up from his seat, threw his backpack down, ran to the front and grabbed the wheel and brought the bus to a stop.’
Reeves didn’t speak at the press conference and humbly remained in the back.
The teenager’s proud parents spoke on behalf of him and praised him for his swift response.
‘Very, very proud. This is overwhelming for all of us. This is national at this point,’ His father, Steve Reeves, said. ‘He is very attentive to his surroundings.’
