Surveillance cameras at Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco were rolling when Ebro Ahmed jumped aboard a runaway school bus carrying 19 students in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ahmed told WCCO he was working outside his family’s store in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood on Monday when he saw a bus moving down the street with its door still open.
“It caught me by surprise because I was kind of confused about the door being open,” Ahmed told WCCO’s Frankie McLister.
The 27-year-old knew something wasn’t right, so he started yelling to get anyone’s attention.
“So then I ran toward the bus and noticed he was having an emergency, so I just hopped on there,” he said.
Try as he might, Ahmed was unable to get the bus to stop by way of the brakes, so he threw it into park.
As he helped the driver, he told the students to call 911.
In a statement, St. Paul Public Schools said the medical emergency occurred on a contracted bus route from Battle Creek Middle School, according to WCCO, which reported that mental health providers at the school provided support for students who were shaken up by the situation.
While the move was heroic, Ahmed says the situation has made him reflect on his life and loved ones.
“It’s something you would never think would happen in real life.” he said, later adding, “It’s scary. That could’ve been my sister, my brother, my daughter, my son. It could be my little cousin,” he said.
It’s also made him reflect on looking out for neighbors and strangers alike.
“It’s part of being human. We have feelings and emotions we’re supposed to feel. If I were to let him drive away, I would not be human anymore,” he said.
Ahmed said he would like to reunite with the driver and meet his family.
St. Paul Public Schools said the driver was released from the hospital and is resting at home, WCCO reported.
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