Passenger Takes Control Of Bus When MBTA Driver Had Seizure
BOSTON (CBS) – Richard Hiort said he did not hesitate to help out an MBTA bus driver who began suffering a seizure while driving down Washington Street in Quincy Saturday.
"'I knew the guy was in trouble so I just did what I had to do," Hiort said. "I'm surprised how calm I was."
With other passengers onboard, Richard jumped out of his seat when he noticed the driver shaking.
"I saw his right foot come down on the break and back up again and that's when I shot over there," Hiort recalled.
"I said there's something wrong and he started to slump over. I got him under control and forced my foot in between his and put the bus in neutral," Hiort said.
While Hiort took control of the bus, his girlfriend, Patricia Foster, called 911.
"I was just concerned about helping him. That's all I was thinking about because he was so sick," Foster said.
Hiort was able to bring the bus to a stop and that's when all the passengers got off.
"I just feel we acted well as a team. I am glad the guy is alright and nobody got hurt," Hiort said.
The bus driver was taken to the hospital and he is expected to be OK.
The MBTA released a statement thanking all the passengers for their swift thinking that helped prevent a possible accident.
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