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How Young Teens Are Different From Older Millennials
As Bus Driver Dies, Teen Takes The Wheel And Saves Kids
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.
Related: Read another amazing story about a quadruple amputee dancer.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 4)
8-20-2009 @ 7:47PM
Trigeia Twins said...Now that is a story to share! How brave. To bad that the driver passed away our prayers go out to him and his family.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 9:53AM
Liz said...I'm glad they are saved, that's a good action of the girl. But it looks like the bus has no air conditioner. No wonder the driver with apparently a hearth condition, had to died. And what about the kids on that bus with the high temperatures of this summer days. That's negligence of the bus company.
8-22-2009 @ 5:04AM
brendanwiuff said...Rachel is hot.
8-21-2009 @ 6:25AM
cadre500 said...My condolences to Mr. Ramon Fernadez's family and friends. God rest his soul. Congratulations to Rachel who succeeded in saving the lives of all those aboard the bus.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 7:25AM
Frank Calenda said...This reminds me of something that happened years ago. I used to ride a school bus home. Bus druvers got a lot of latitude on what they could do back then. With a quite full bus, he stopped on a hill to buy a cup of coffee at a store. Just as he entered the store, the emergency brake slipped and the bus started rolling down the hill. The kids started screaming. I did the same thing as this girl did, I jumped into the drivers seat and pulled the emergency brake. The driver had seen what happened and ran back to the bus. His reaction was not good. He looked at me and said, "Get out of that seat." That was the last I ever heard about that. I told my mom, she shook her head and continued cooking supper. Guess it didn't sound super heroic to her either. I always thought someone should have said thanks. Such was the plight of a 13 year old so many years ago.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 7:45AM
Debbie Quick said...Yes, Frank, it was "super heroic". On behalf of all those children and their parents, thank you for your quick reaction and bravery. God Bless you!!!
8-21-2009 @ 12:27PM
Renee Still Day said...Frank, Here is a long overdue "thank you"! You deserved it then and you deserve it now. It's too bad it wasn't recognized when it counted more.
8-21-2009 @ 9:21AM
Janet said...I am sorry Frank you were not recognized for your heroic act. It sounds like the bus driver was under the impression you caused the bus to move. Some teenagers get a bad rap, and adults think teenagers are fooling around, and that perhaps you sat in the seat playing with it, and disengaged the brake. I bet that is what he thought, cuz I can't imagine him not thanking you.
But thank you for saving the children.
8-21-2009 @ 9:39AM
DBMART7A said...I want to say Thank You for all of those who didn't give you the credit you deserved back then, but both of us know, at the time, you didn't do it to get a Thank You, you did it because you were doing what had to be done in an emergancy. You are a hero, because even though you were scared, you did what needed and that is the definition of a hero. Thank you.
8-21-2009 @ 11:06AM
Pete Barnes said...Some of us were born too soon.Times have changed. Lol. I'm sure the driver thought you got in the seat and released the brake. You knew you were a hero. All herops don't get a thank you. That is sad.
8-21-2009 @ 12:10PM
E said...That is because he was so scared they would find out what he did.
What a looser he was.
That was heroic and thank-you for your bravery and quick thinking.
Thank God you were there.
He was only mad because he knew he was wrong and could get into big trouble.
8-21-2009 @ 1:41PM
Bill said...Well Frank, we've never met, but I extend a much-belated hearty "Thank you!" for your heroic action back in they day. You done good. If not for you...
8-21-2009 @ 2:04PM
Oracle said...What you did was pretty brave, the driver was negligent, if anyone was at fault that day, it was him. It was wrong of him to make you feel bad that day, you simple reacted to a problem he created (not that in Guzy's story the driver never left his seat. They are not supposed to do so unless an incident requires them to do so)
8-21-2009 @ 7:38AM
mark said...She is cute!
Reply
8-22-2009 @ 4:55PM
Poorman2000 said...yes, she is cute, but the insides made her a hero.
8-21-2009 @ 7:53AM
manorchic1 said...That is sad that the driver died, but what this teen did saved all the children on board and herself. That is truly a GOOD thing she did. God Bless you honey.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 7:56AM
Dennis Bishop said...Way to go. A story like that is a way to start the day! She is a HERO!
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 7:59AM
mshariann1 said...SHE IS VERY SMART TOJUMP INTO ACTION IT SAVE LIFES.I SORRY FOR THE DRIVER.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 8:42AM
Mr. Know It All said...Melissa, Allnaturalguy and qqqq, in case you haven't noticed, this article was about a young lady saving children on a bus tour where the driver died. If you want to advertise your wares, why don't you call the classifieds and place an add. The ads would be more appreciated there. This area is for serious posts from intelligent people who are expressing their opinions. You have a nice day.
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8-21-2009 @ 8:24AM
David said...I am a bus driver in North Carolina and moved down here from New York,,Its my biggest fear that something happens to me and my Kids get hurt..I have a new bus this year and don't know my Kids yet but last year I knew I had some Kids that would in fact take action..I have to fine some Kids like Rachel to help me watch over the others..Your a great young Lady Rachel and the World is smiling at you....
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