Urgent.News

What's breaking now, across thousands of outlets.

World

Verse from Qu’ran inspired US man to leap on runaway school bus and halt it

Ebro Ahmed, who acted after driver’s medical emergency, said he hopes incident will show Eritreans ‘in a good way’ A man who hopped on to a school bus full of terrified children that was careering down a Minnesota street after its driver had a medical emergency and manually halted it says he was motivated to act by a Qu’ran verse about how saving one life is equivalent to saving all of humanity.…

Verse from Qu’ran inspired US man to leap on runaway school bus and halt it

Ebro Ahmed, a 27-year-old US-born individual, spontaneously intervened on a runaway school bus in Minnesota after witnessing its driver experiencing a medical emergency. The bus, driven by a man who was exhibiting signs of a seizure with foam coming from his mouth, had its door open and was speeding down the street. Witnessing this scene, Ahmed recognized the urgency and immediately leaped onto the bus, tossing aside his phone and glasses to free his hands.

His primary objective was to halt the vehicle to ensure the safety of the 19 children and the driver confined within. He managed to pull the emergency brake, successfully bringing the bus to a stop without any casualties or injuries. Ahmed's actions were inspired by a Qu'ran verse that equates saving one life with saving all of humanity, a principle that resonated with him deeply.

He emphasized that his motivation was not personal gain but an act of selflessness and service to others. The incident was captured on surveillance video, which subsequently went viral, showcasing Ahmed's heroism. This act of bravery was particularly significant as Ahmed is part of the Eritrean community, and he expressed pride in representing his community positively.

His store, Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco, had faced challenges due to the mass deportation campaign led by the previous administration, but this moment allowed him to demonstrate the good character of Eritreans and other east Africans. He received support from local business and community figures, including a donation of $1,000 and invitations to speak publicly about his experience.

Ahmed's actions underscore the importance of quick and decisive action in emergency situations and serve as a reminder of the potential impact of ordinary individuals in extraordinary circumstances.

Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Read the original at theguardian.com →

More in World

More from Saturday 24 October →