Hero 6th graders save classmates & stop school bus from crashing after driver passes out

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Middle school students in Mississippi are being hailed as heroes for preventing a school bus crash. The driver lost consciousness while driving, but the students acted quickly and were able to bring the bus to a safe stop.

I was so shocked to hear what happened on Wednesday! Apparently, the school bus leaving Hancock Middle School – it had about 40 kids on it – was being driven by Leah Taylor, a 46-year-old woman, when she suddenly had an asthma attack. It must have been really scary for everyone involved.

Taylor tried to take her medication, but she lost consciousness before she could, causing the bus to veer off course on the highway, according to the Associated Press.

The students reacted swiftly and worked together seamlessly to handle the situation.

Students save everyone on school bus after driver blacks out

Twelve-year-old Jackson Casnave was sitting right behind Taylor when he realized something was off. He quickly reacted, steering the vehicle and instructing his classmates to call for assistance.

Casnave explained that she didn’t have a chance to fully feel what happened. Her main concern was keeping everyone safe.

Twelve-year-old Darrius Clark, a sixth grader, stepped on the brakes while his classmates helped steer the bus safely onto the center divider and stop it.

Students on a Mississippi school bus prevented a crash when their driver lost consciousness on a busy highway. The bus, carrying around 40 children, was traveling when Leah Taylor experienced an asthma attack. She tried to reach for her inhaler but fainted before she could.

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 30, 2026

Darrius’s thirteen-year-old sister, Kayleigh Clark, quickly ran to the front of the school bus and dialed 911. She told authorities afterward that it was hard to hear the operator due to all the students yelling.

“I was scared, but I also had to help,” Kayleigh said.

It wasn’t just me helping out Taylor. This eighth grader, Destiny Cornelius, who’s 15, noticed the driver was struggling to breathe and quickly gave him his medication. Meanwhile, McKenzy Finch, who’s 13, held his head to keep him still and comfortable. We were all just trying to do what we could to help.

I heard that Mr. Finch actually picked up Taylor’s phone when it rang, and then he explained the whole situation to the people in charge of school transportation. It was pretty quick thinking on his part, honestly!

I was really impressed watching the security footage. It showed these students totally pulling together, staying calm even though things could have gotten really serious. It’s amazing – they really saved the day as a team, and even the driver recognized that!

Taylor has since made a full recovery and credited the students with saving everyone on board.

She expressed her gratitude for her students, explaining, “They saved my life, and the lives of everyone else on the bus.”

The students received recognition at Friday’s pep rally and will enjoy a lunch field trip next week, where they get to choose the restaurant.

Principal Dr. Melissa Saucier praised their bravery, saying they took initiative instead of waiting for someone else to act.

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2026-04-30 20:49