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Glendale student parks school bus safely
A Glen Hills Middle School student came to the rescue on Wednesday night after his bus driver passed out behind the wheel.
GLENDALE, Wis. - A Glen Hills Middle School student came to the rescue on Wednesday night after his bus driver passed out behind the wheel.
In a statement to families, the Glendale-River Hills School District said the bus driver experienced a medical emergency and temporarily lost consciousness – causing the bus to begin to veer into oncoming traffic.
The bus was near 25th and Villard when the ride took a scary turn. That's when Acie Holland III, an eighth grader, sprung into action.
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"I feel the bus accelerate, and I'm like, ‘Where is she going?’" he said. "I look, and I seen her head go to the steering wheel."
The 14-year-old boy shares more than a name with his mechanic father, Acie Holland II. He has been working alongside his dad since he was a little boy, always there to lend a hand, and said his experience with cars gave him confidence to run up to the front of the bus.
Acie Holland III
The school district said Holland III rushed to get the bus driver's foot off the gas and applied the brakes, safely bringing the bus to a stop.
"It was just a fight or flight moment," he said.
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Holland III then called 911 and made sure the younger students were OK, telling them to contact their parents.
"I was focused on just trying to get the bus to stop and make sure everybody was OK," he said.
"Him stepping up to the plate, making sure others are OK, speaks to compassion I see him exhibit every day here," said Holland II.
The driver regained consciousness and called Riteway dispatch, which sent a safety team and alternate bus driver to finish the route. Glen Hills Principal Anna Young said it's not a surprise Holland III did what he did.
"He goes big all the time. If he's got a chance to do something, he's going to do it," Young said.
"If it's something that's got to be done, don't be scared to do it," said Holland III.
Glen Hills Middle School statement:
"The Glen Hills school community could not be any prouder of Acie. The compassion and leadership that we see him exhibit daily was taken to the next level on his bus ride home yesterday. We are grateful that all of our Glen Hills students are safe and are wishing their driver a healthy recovery."
GO Riteway statement:
"While transporting students home on Wednesday afternoon, one of our drivers had a medical emergency while driving their route for Glen Hills Middle School. We are grateful and proud of the courage Acie displayed jumping to action to ensure the safety of his peers and his bus driver. The bus driver was transported to a local hospital and is currently recovering. We are happy that everyone involved is safe."