Minnesota Man Stops Runaway School Bus and Saves 19 Students

A Minnesota man intervened to stop a moving school bus after its driver suffered a medical emergency in Saint Paul on Monday afternoon, preventing a potentially dangerous situation involving students returning home from Battle Creek Middle School. Ebro Ahmed, 27, rushed aboard the vehicle and applied its parking brake, while emergency responders attended to the driver.

Saint Paul Public Schools confirmed that 19 students were aboard the bus and that none were injured. Ahmed told local media he counted 18 children when police arrived. The district arranged for another bus to complete the students' journey home and provided access to mental health support.

Ahmed, who works at a nearby store, noticed the bus traveling with its doors open and warning lights flashing. Surveillance footage reviewed by local television station KSTP captured him running from the sidewalk and climbing onto the moving vehicle.

Ahmed described his decision to intervene as a personal responsibility, particularly because children were involved.

"I really felt like it was my duty," Ahmed told ABC News. "Also, too, it’s kids we’re talking about, you know. Even if I were to die, it would still be worth it."

The bus was moving at approximately 10 mph, according to Ahmed's account to CBS News. He had never driven a bus before and initially struggled to identify the correct gear while attempting to stop it.

He recalled the moment he first noticed the vehicle during an interview with KSTP.

"I saw a bus roll past me with the doors open, and I saw the bus driver seizing up," Ahmed told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

After climbing aboard, Ahmed attempted to put the bus in park but accidentally selected reverse. He then shifted the vehicle into neutral, engaged the parking brake and contacted police and emergency medical services.

"So I just ran out to the bus, I tried to put it in park, I threw it in reverse by accident, and then I ended up getting it in neutral, pulled the parking brake," Ahmed said. "And then I called the police and called the ambulances so they could help the driver."

Ahmed also described the bus's unexpected movement and his reaction to the gear mistake.

"I started hearing beeps and we were going backwards," Ahmed explained. "And then I said, 'That is not right,' and I threw it into neutral and pulled the [parking] brake."

After securing the vehicle, he saw frightened students inside, some crying and preparing to contact authorities.

"When I looked behind me, I saw all of the kids kind of a little scared, crying with their phones out getting ready to call the police," Ahmed told CBS News.

Ahmed said the driver appeared to be recovering when he checked on him. He chose not to press the driver for information while the man was still regaining his composure.

"After everything, he was coming to, but he's still kind of out of it," Ahmed said of the driver. "And so I just let him be. Even when the police came, he was already done having his medical emergency. He was getting a little bit better, but I just didn't want to rush and start asking him questions."

In a subsequent update reported by KSTP, the school district said the driver had been released from the hospital and was resting at home. The district also confirmed that paramedics responded after the emergency was reported.

Ahmed said he had no medical training and credited the television drama Grey's Anatomy with helping him remain composed during the incident. He explained that the program had influenced how he approached an unfamiliar emergency.

"[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."

He also explained to CBS News how the show's portrayal of medical professionals influenced his response.

"In 'Grey's Anatomy,' you never see doctors panic. I know it is all acting and stuff, so I just knew to be calm and just think everything through," Ahmed said.

Ahmed said the situation could have ended differently if the bus had been traveling on a highway or a busy road. He emphasized that his priority was protecting the children rather than receiving recognition.

"At the end of the day, youth are the most innocent humans on Earth, so anything you can do to save them, help them, it’s worth it," he said, adding, "Saving lives is very, you know, something God will never forget; God will definitely reward you heavily for it."

Despite the attention surrounding the rescue, Ahmed said he did not consider his actions exceptional.

"I feel like any person in my situation would have done the same thing," Ahmed told CBS News.

The school district said its mental health team checked in with students following the incident. No student injuries were reported, and the driver was recovering at home after leaving the hospital.