Bus Driver Passes Out on N. America's Busiest Highway

A quick-thinking passenger saves the day
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 29, 2017 1:10 AM CST
Updated Dec 29, 2017 3:00 AM CST
Passenger Saves Bus After Driver Passes Out
Ontario Northland says it is investigating the incident.   (Wikimedia\Secondarywaltz)

The stretch of Ontario's Highway 401 that goes through Toronto is believed to be the busiest highway in North America—making it all the more terrifying when the driver of a bus with dozens of passengers on board passed out at the wheel. "There was a bit of a commotion at the front and then someone turned around and yelled, 'Can anyone drive a bus?'" passenger Laurie Gennings tells the CBC. "And at that point we all kind of panicked because the bus was still moving." A quick-thinking woman managed to get to the driver's seat, take the driver's foot off the gas pedal, and steer the bus to the shoulder, CTV reports.

The Ontario Northland bus was traveling from Sudbury to Toronto with 47 passengers, the Toronto Star reports. The bus company says the driver, a man in his 60s, "experienced a medical issue and is currently receiving medical care." Another driver was sent to bring the passengers to their destination. Police say the incident could have been a lot worse if not for the actions of the passenger, who was identified only as Rebecca. "If you're out there watching, thank you," one passenger says. "You’re going to get your blessings in 2018 after this good deed." (Last year, a driver in Maryland saved 20 kids from a burning school bus.)

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