Middle schoolers save bus driver who had medical emergency while driving

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — The heroic actions of two middle schoolers saved their bus driver’s life.

East Paulding Middle School students Conner Doss and Kane Daugherty not only got the driver some help, but they also made sure their classmates were safe.

“I’m not a hero,” Daugherty told Channel 2′s Chris Jose. “All I did was react. All Conner did was react. We just helped our bus driver out. Anybody else would’ve done it. It’s just we were the first ones to do it.”

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On October 1, a bus full of kids were headed to school when the driver had a medical emergency.

“I come out, I come in the aisle and look down. Miss Julie’s face is bright red and shaking,” said Doss.

Luckily, the driver was able to navigate the bus to the side of the road. That’s when the boys realized something was wrong and they jumped in.

“I hear her say, ‘Hey! Somebody help!’ So, I run up. She’s over here shaking really bad,” said Daugherty. “I picked up the [dispatch radio], I said, ‘Somebody help. Our bus driver feels really dizzy.’ Somebody called her phone.”

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A dispatcher was on the line and helped Daugherty to quickly set the emergency brake, flashing lights and emergency stop arm. The dispatcher called 911.

“We know she has diabetes, so we thought maybe it was an attack. We got her to drink Coke, eat cookies, and all of that,” said Daugherty.

Doss calmed the other kids down and told them to get to the back of the bus.

“Some were crying, some were screaming, and some were just panicking,” said Doss.

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The boys knew every second mattered.

“We opened up a window and we were waving down and everything, telling them to get over here to help,” said Daugherty.

They got the attention of a pastor who happened to be driving by. He hopped on and gathered the students in prayer until the ambulance arrived.

“That was a moment of relief, I think, for Miss Julie and for us to know God was on our side,” said Daugherty.

School leaders said the driver is recovering but hasn’t yet returned to work.

The district recently recognized the students at a school board meeting this month.

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