A teenage girl has been hailed as a hero after she led a school bus to safety while the driver reportedly suffered a heart attack at the wheel.
The bus was carrying students from Aquinas College Southport when it struck the central reservation and came to a stop near the intersection of Southport Nerang Road and Olsen Avenue in Southport on the Gold Coast on Monday afternoon.
Shocked teenagers on the bus reported that The 70-year-old male driver screamed and grabbed his chest before becoming unresponsive.
Emergency workers praised the 15-year-old girl’s “brave and courageous” actions shortly after the driver became medically involved.
The girl brought the bus to a stop on the busy road after passing a heavy traffic intersection.
“She took his foot off the accelerator and his hands off the steering wheel and she held the bus straight as he slowed down,” Queensland Ambulance Service operations supervisor John Nolan said.
‘(The driver) lost consciousness for a while, after which a 15-year-old girl came to his aid.’
There were about 25 students on the bus at the time. No one was injured.
The school bus (pictured) was stopped after a 15-year-old schoolgirl took over the wheel, while the 70-year-old driver reportedly suffered a heart attack
After the 15-year-old girl bravely took the wheel, the bus hit traffic lights before coming to a stop
He said the girl was “a little upset” and that some students on the bus were quite emotional after the incident.
“It was very brave and courageous of her to do that and she saved all her schoolmates from all harm,” Mr Nolan added.
“A few teachers arrived shortly after and escorted the students back to school. But thanks to her actions, all the students are safe and she can be very proud of that.”
The school praised the actions of the students and staff involved.
“This afternoon, an Aquinas College school bus carrying students from the college was involved in an accident off our campus,” Aquinas College Principal Marcus Richardson said in a statement.
The school bus involved was loaded onto a tow truck after a terrifying ordeal for 25 students on board
Fortunately, no one was injured and all students were able to return to the university safely.
“I would like to commend the actions of the students and staff involved today to ensure all members of our school community remained safe.
‘As a university, the safety, well-being and support of students is our primary concern.’
Students who have been affected by the incident are receiving guidance.
The bus driver was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in serious condition.