St. Paul Man Recognized for Stopping Runaway Bus Carrying 19 Students
A 27-year-old resident who leaped onto a moving school bus to save children is being honored by city leadership.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
Nineteen students avoided injury when a 27-year-old man jumped onto a moving school bus in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ebro Ahmed intervened on Oct. 19 to stop the vehicle, which was rolling down the street with its doors open.
Ahmed, a resident of St. Paul, was working when he spotted the Battle Creek Middle School bus. Surveillance footage recorded the moment he acted. "I was just working and I noticed a runaway bus," Ahmed said. He observed the driver suffering from a medical emergency. "Caught me by surprise because I was confused at why the door was open. I noticed he was having an emergency, so I jumped on the bus," he explained.
Once aboard, Ahmed shifted the bus into neutral and engaged the parking brake to bring the vehicle to a halt. No passengers were hurt in the incident.
City leaders formally honored Ahmed on Monday, Nov. 9. City Council member Cheniqua Johnson read a proclamation recognizing his "extraordinary bravery, quick thinking and selfless actions." Mayor Kaohly Her called Ahmed the "epitome of what our city of St. Paul stands for." Jeramiah Melquist, assistant chief of operations for the St. Paul Fire Department, noted that Ahmed proved "everyday citizens have the extraordinary ability to make a difference."
Stacie Stanley, the superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, praised Ahmed for saving the "destiny of 19 young people." Ahmed described his motivation as simple. "If you can save one person, you can save the whole world. That's what I live by," he said.
Officials have designated Nov. 9 as Ebro Ahmed Day. Ahmed plans to visit the students later this month.
