On December 12, 2023 at about 07:55 am, a school bus driver was transporting students from both Franklin Pierce High School and Washington High School eastbound on 112th St E near Waller Rd E and approaching Vickery Ave E. The driver started experiencing disturbing symptoms while the bus was in motion. The driver was able to use the Public Address system and said something similar “Somebody call for help!” as he started to lose consciousness.
Two Washington High School students called 911, while a third student selflessly left the safety of his seat, took hold of the steering wheel and pulled the emergency brake to bring the bus safely to a halt.
Another student used the bus radio system to contact District Transportation while a fifth student held the driver’s head and told him it was okay and they had him.
The driver was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital for further evaluation and is doing fine today thanks to these young people who acted calmly and bravely during an emergency to save their bus driver and everyone else on the bus that day.
We were so thankful to be able to honor these students at an assembly last week for stepping up in a tense situation. Proud of them and thank you to Deputy Horne who nominated them for their efforts!
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department,
From my perspective, thanks must go to you again for two reasons.
Thanks #1: I appreciate your having reported a story that speaks highly in a positive manner of the young heroes who instantly took life-saving actions to help prevent injury and death for all the student riders and driver in this school bus incident.
Thanks #2: I appreciate your reporting this story as it caused me to experience a flashback to 1949 when I was riding a school bus to first grade. Our bus driver suffered a medical emergency. First-grade student, John Stoner, jumped out of his seat and pulled on the emergency brake safely stopping the bus, resulting in no injuries or death.
I have never forgotten John. Had it not been for him, I might not have made it to age 80 or age 7, for that matter.
We often hear stories about misguided youth misbehaving and committing crimes. It is great to be reminded that we have many good kids among us who are a genuine asset to our communities.
In closing, I say, thanks Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and thanks kids for your quick-thinking heroics.
Joseph Boyle –
Great young people are out there. To keep such a cool head in a tough situation deserves our respect. Thank you for sharing this story!
Such a great story! It is heart warming to know about you g people who know when and how to do the right things! Thanks PCSD for sharing this!
Ditto to Joseph’s comments about positive news reporting! Thank you,
Christine Martin
University Place
I echo the thanks from Joseph Boyle, Susanne Bacon, and Christine Martin that it is a great story and very positive for the students. Thanks they and the fiver are here to tell the story! Hurray!
My posted comment was not accurate. Should have included “Thanks to the efforts of the students both they and the driver are here to tell us the story! Hooray to the students!” And not the last sentence!!
Great to see young people take control of their destiny when all other options are off the table.
Funny how that works.
Well done young people!