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Filed under: In The News, Amazing Kids, Health & Safety: Big Kids, Health & Safety: Tweens, Health & Safety: Teens
Camp counselor Rachel Guzy's quick thinking saved lives. Credit: New York Post / Splash News
A 16-year-old New York girl is being hailed as a hero after stopping a bus Tuesday with nine children on board when the driver suddenly died.
"I just did what I had to do," said Rachel Guzy, a camp counselor from the Magic Carpet Day Camp in Bayside, Queens, in an interview with the New York Daily News. "Everything went through my mind. I worried about the kids. I worried about the driver. I knew I had to react."
The Daily News reported that Ramon Fernandez, 59, was driving kids -- ranging in age from 7 to 16 -- home around 4:30 p.m., following an afternoon of bowling in Flushing, Queens. He complained about feeling hot and pulled over so Guzy could get him some water.
After getting the water, according to the paper, Fernandez continued driving with the door of the bus open because of the heat. Seized by what authorities say was a heart attack around 4:40 p.m., Fernandez collapsed and rolled out the open door as the bus continued to move toward an intersection.
The paper reported that Guzy, who doesn't even have a learner's permit, jumped into the driver's seat and pulled the emergency brake -- slowing the bus before it crashed into a minivan.
"If not for Rachel, we could have been dead or in the hospital," said 12-year-old camper Artemis Sacremone.
Brett Tawil, the owner of the Magic Carpet Day Camp, called the incident a tragedy, but Guzy a hero.
"You can only hope a counselor acts like she did," he told the Daily News.
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ReaderComments (Page 3 of 4)
8-21-2009 @ 11:07PM
gfbfriend said...Now it's time for dumb cops to charge young lady & parents to pay damages
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 11:42AM
David said...Hello Robert is your Father from Copiague , Long Island if so I married your cousin Cindy.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 11:45AM
Kathy said...Hopefully, the camp director will show their gratitude toward this young lady for her heroism, courage and strength under pressure to save the lives of the children. She did get water for the driver whom should've known he was to dizzy and sick to continue to drive under the heat of that day, and not endangered the passengers and gotten help for himself. I do extend my sincere condolences to his family, as a massive heart attack doesn't give warnings. Fortunately, this young lady had the sense to act spontaneously enough to save lives.
It would be great if this young lady would be given an award from the city and that the camp director find funding to donate a scholarship for her college education, that is the least they and the city can do for this young heroine. God Bless her parents for raising such a caring and courageous young lady.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 11:58AM
Shannon M said...I agree, Robert! She ALSO dressed herself that morning, too!
She's a big girl now!!
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 12:06PM
Marc said...EXCELLENT!!! She is a real & true heroine!!!!
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 12:23PM
Butch said...MandiAltman
I think it should be manditory for all bus drivers to take a physical *********** Mandi, They DO have to get a physical to be able to drive a bus commercially (for pay) That happens every two years. Unfortunately, that wont detect a heart attack in the future. I'm glad to see that this story had a good outcome. Hopefully, the parents of the other kids on the bus wont try to sue Rachel Guzy for "Endangering" their lil precious bundles buy jumoping up and taking control of the bus without a license (GASP!)
Reply
8-27-2010 @ 4:32PM
damanwit2brainz said...This girl is a real hero in and out and im glad she reacted the way she did i dont know not one of those children but im a father of two and it makes me very happy to see that this 16 year old acted as a responsible adult and saved those kids life you go girl this world needs more people like you in it
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 12:40PM
Sharon A. Harbin said...ATTENTION: ~ RACHEL GUZY ~
~ GOD BLESS YOU ~ FOREVER ~
God Bless Your Courage .. God Bless Your Quick, Thinking Mind.
I hope and pray THIS situation is MORE proof and CLEAR evidence in your young life that YOU can accomplish great and mighty things.
If I were there, I'd give you the biggest hug ever. God has permitted You to become a real HERO .. you saved the lives of everyone else on that bus when the driver experienced that horrible heart attack ..
So, in the midst of something so tragic, You came to the Rescue.
Again, God Bless You
May God bring comfort & help to the family of Mr. Fernandez. RIP
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 1:13PM
Brad said...Why didn't she just use her foot and press on the brake pedal instead of taking the extra time to find and then activate the emergency brake? it was good she did at least that but I don't understand why not use the brake pedal to stop, which would stop the bus much faster than any emergency brake (which by the way either activates the rear brakes only or it is a brake that is attached to the driveshaft, which regardless of which it still only activates slowing the rear wheels). If she would of used the brake pedal then the front brakes (which do 90% of the braking) would of helped stop that bus much faster.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 1:22PM
TheVoiceOfTruth said...Who cares Brad??? The bus was still stopped before it hit the van. You sound like a very negative person picking on someone who only had a few seconds to think and act. You probably would've been wasting your time having negative thoughts and not even acted in time to help yourself or anyone else.
8-21-2009 @ 12:53PM
Diane said...Though what she did was great, and probably saved at least some injuries, lives I'm in doubt of. The bus was probably not going too fast or pulling the e-brake would have caused some injuries as well. I know kids/teens who do even more than this and are not hailed as heros. Indeed she was smart, and quick, of this there is no doubt. But heroic is far more than that, as she and others will learn in life. Heroic isn't just in the momentary things, but in the long term things as well. An older child who takes on the responsibility of raising their younger siblings is heroic. Happens every day, but it's still heroic. Our young men and women in the armed forces, just joining the military in a time of war is heroic. To those who donate time and money to those in need, whatever need that is, are heros. I hope we all take the time to remember ALL the heros that walk among us every day. And bless each and EVERY one of them.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 1:21PM
TheVoiceOfTruth said...Diane~ Those are some ideas of what a hero is but others have their own ideas of what a hero is. I know many who have gone into the service simply because they don't know what else to do after highschool. What is heroic about that???
8-21-2009 @ 12:58PM
Betty Paralikas said...Congratulations Rachel! I am so proud of you! Imagine my surprise unfolding my Daily News, and seeing your beautiful face on the cover! You were caring, smart and a natural leader in my classroom. It does not surprise me that you are now a hero! The world is a better place because you are in it!
I am so sorry for Mr. Fernandez and I will say a prayer for him and his family!
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 12:58PM
ploppismcfafafa said...Well uhh.....keep on rollin baby
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 1:00PM
ploppismcfafa said...I mean a' rollin out the bus baby
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 1:03PM
ploppismcfafa said...Well uh.....keep on rollin baby. I mean a rollin' out the bus door bay bay
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 1:18PM
JJ said...Rachel, you are indeed a hero in the physical, but an angel here on earth. You saved those children lives , and for that you will always be blessed. Many was called, but few are chosen, and you my child is the chosen one. God has nothing but blessings into your life, keep being the pleasant person that you seem you are. And your humbleness is catching and it will continue to cross over into your life. For the Lord loves a humble child, and being humble you will always have the blessing of the Lord upon your life. My prayers goes out to the family of the bus driver, and I hope they will continue to have everlasting peace. Again Rachel God's blessing upon you always.
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8-21-2009 @ 1:32PM
Andy Walters said...I bet the mini van driver will try to sue the kid for damages.
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8-21-2009 @ 1:46PM
Kathy said...Frank, that bus driver did deserve to be fired, leaving children on a bus to get coffee, especially on top of an incline that in itself isn't good. Your heroics shouldn't go unnoticed, sorry your mom ignored your story and didn't call the school to get the bus driver in trouble for endangering the well being of minor children. Fortunately, due to your swift action, no one was hurt, frightened, but not hurt. Frank, do you see any of the children you've gone to school with then? If so, they can be a witness to your story which should be told to make others aware of the irresponsible bus drivers, who don't have the welfare of their passengers first and foremost. Let me say this now; Much appreciation for your quick thinking heroism. You are indeed a hero! Sometimes, it would be nice to be recognize for the good we do, but if it goes unnoticed, we know what we did and take pride in your courage and caring for other human beings! Thank you and God Bless you with good health, happiness and prosperity always!
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8-21-2009 @ 1:50PM
George said...quick thinking,..!!!..smart girl,..!!!..a real "gutsy gal",..!!!!..the Mayor should give her a "Medal of Honor" for preventing a horrible tragedy,..!!!!..and mebbie a gift certificate to a nice restaurant for her and her family,..!!!...LUVYAGAL,....!!!!!!!...
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