A quick-thinking middle school student in Mississippi prevented a school bus from crashing after the driver passed out on a four-lane highway.
The bus carrying about 40 children had just left Hancock Middle School in Hancock County on Wednesday when Leah Taylor, 46, suffered an asthma attack. She reached for the medicine, but passed out before she could get it.
In just a few seconds, the students began to take action.
Sixth-grader Jackson Casnave, 12, was sitting directly behind the driver when he noticed the bus began to swerve. Kasnav jumped up to take the helm and told the others to get help.
“I didn’t have time to process my emotions,” Kasnav said. “I just wanted to make sure no one got hurt.”
Another sixth-grader, 12-year-old Darrius Clark, hit the brakes and together the two managed to maneuver the bus onto the median and into a parking space.
Clark’s 13-year-old sister, Kelly, ran from behind the car to the front and called 911. She later said she could barely hear the emergency operator because so many students were screaming.
“I’m scared, but I also have to help,” said eighth-grader Kayleigh Clark.
Eighth-grader Destiny Cornelius, 15, also ran over to help and noticed Taylor holding a nebulizer. Cornelius administered the medicine to Taylor while 13-year-old sixth-grader Mackenzie Finch held down Taylor’s head.
Finch also picked up Taylor’s ringing phone and told the district’s traffic team what was going on.
“I’m grateful for my students,” said Taylor, who has fully recovered. “They saved my life and everyone else was in the car.”
Students were honored at a pep rally on Friday and will attend a lunch field trip next week at a restaurant of their choice.
“What they did took courage,” said Principal Dr. Melissa Saucier. “The fact that they didn’t wait for others to step in but stepped up for themselves speaks volumes about their character.”