Ohio Siblings Save Bus Driver in Distress
A brother and sister from Ohio are being recognized for their quick actions that potentially saved a bus driver’s life during an emergency as he was heading to school.
On December 19, 14-year-old Charlie and his 8-year-old sister Katrina jumped into action when they noticed their bus driver was having trouble breathing. They called for help using the bus’s radio system, as seen in various rescue footage.
In the video, Katrina approaches the driver, visibly concerned, and asks if he is okay. He simply shakes his head. Charlie recalls, “I ran over and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ She pointed to her throat, so I knew I had to get the older kids.” At that point, Katrina managed to pull the parking brake to stop the bus, preventing it from rolling downhill.
After that, the driver continued to signal his distress, holding up the bus radio to indicate he needed assistance. Charlie quickly moved to the front of the bus, picked up the radio, and alerted the authorities, stating, “We need help… The bus driver is not breathing,” while also providing the bus’s location.
Reflecting on the situation, Charlie admitted he felt a little shaken but tried to keep calm for the sake of his fellow students. “It was scary. I tried to keep the kids calm, tried not to panic, and got them into the back of the bus,” he shared.
When asked where he learned how to operate the radio, Charlie jokingly replied, “Yeah, I saw a couple of ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ movies… You just have to stay calm and do what you need to do.” The bus driver, who later thanked Charlie for his quick thinking, was taken to the hospital but was released afterward.
Crestview Local Schools Superintendent Jim Grubbs noted that, besides Charlie and Katrina, an eighth grader named Kari also played a vital role by helping students get to the back of the bus and calling 911. Grubbs praised their actions, saying, “The students’ behavior was truly outstanding. They stayed calm, communicated clearly, and supported each other in a situation that could have been much worse. Their families should be incredibly proud.”
