5 Mississippi Students Stop Bus After Driver Loses Consciousness

When Leah Taylor passed out from an asthma attack while driving her school bus in Hancock County, Mississippi, five middle school students jumped into action and likely saved dozens of lives.

The frightening moment happened last Wednesday afternoon as Taylor was driving students home on her usual route. Within seconds of Taylor losing consciousness, several students realized something was terribly wrong.

"She kind of, sort of, like, fell over, like flopped over, and everyone started standing up," student McKenzy Finch recalled. The bus began drifting off the road and picking up speed.

Jackson Casnave rushed to grab the steering wheel while sixth grader Darrius Clark hit the brakes. "The bus started rolling forward. It started, like, gaining speed, so when I clicked the brakes, it about threw me out the windshield," Darrius said.

While some students controlled the bus, others focused on helping Taylor. Eighth grader Kayleigh Clark called 911 while Destiny Cornelius quickly recognized that Taylor needed her medication and helped her reach it.

The students kept the other children calm until first responders arrived. Surveillance video from the Hancock County School District captured the entire incredible response.

Sunny's Take

Taylor personally thanked each student who helped save her life and the lives of everyone on that bus. "I can't thank these students enough for saving everybody's life because it could have turned out so much worse," she said.

Hancock Middle School Principal Dr. Melissa Saucier hopes this story changes how people see young people today. "I hope that when people hear this story, they are reminded that there is so much good in this next generation. We just have to pay attention."

These five students proved that heroes come in all ages, and sometimes the bravest among us are still in middle school.