ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — October 24, 2026. A 27-year-old Minnesota man is receiving national recognition after risking his own safety to stop a moving school bus carrying middle school students when the driver suddenly experienced a medical emergency.
The man, identified as Ebro Ahmed, sprang into action on Monday, October 19, in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood of St. Paul.
Ahmed was outside his family’s convenience store when he noticed a yellow school bus slowly traveling down the street with its doors open and warning lights flashing.
Realizing something was wrong, he rushed toward the moving vehicle, climbed aboard, and managed to bring it to a stop before anyone was injured.
Initial reports indicated that 18 children were aboard the bus. More recent accounts from FOX 9, Minnesota Public Radio and PEOPLE put the number at 19 students.
All students were reported safe.
Ebro Ahmed Notices School Bus Moving Without Proper Control
The incident happened near the intersection of Fremont Avenue East and North Mendota Street, outside Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco, a neighborhood convenience store operated by Ahmed’s family.
According to local reports, Ahmed had stepped outside to kick a soccer ball when he noticed the unusual scene.
A school bus transporting students from Battle Creek Middle School was moving slowly with its passenger doors open.
The driver appeared to be experiencing a serious medical emergency and was unable to operate the vehicle normally.
Ahmed quickly recognized the potential danger.
Instead of remaining on the sidewalk, he ran toward the bus and climbed aboard while it was still moving.
Security camera footage obtained by local television stations captured his rapid response.
Surveillance Video Captures the Dramatic Rescue
The store’s surveillance camera recorded Ahmed running toward the yellow school bus as it passed the business.
The vehicle was reportedly traveling at approximately 10 miles per hour.
The footage shows Ahmed reaching the bus, climbing inside, and bringing it to a stop within seconds.
According to Minnesota Public Radio, the entire rescue took less than 15 seconds.
Ahmed later acknowledged that he had never driven a school bus before.
Despite his lack of experience, he remained focused on preventing the vehicle from continuing down the street.
Ahmed Accidentally Puts the Bus in Reverse Before Stopping It
After boarding, Ahmed immediately attempted to operate the bus controls.
However, his first attempt did not go as planned.
He mistakenly shifted the vehicle into reverse while trying to stop it.
Realizing the mistake, he quickly changed the transmission into neutral and engaged the parking brake.
The bus finally came to a complete stop.
Ahmed then checked on the driver and made sure emergency responders were contacted.
His actions prevented the uncontrolled vehicle from traveling farther with students aboard.
Two Students Helped During the Emergency
In interviews following the incident, Ahmed explained that some students became frightened when they realized their driver was experiencing a medical emergency.
Others remained relatively calm.
Two girls seated near the front of the bus helped him while he attempted to control the vehicle.
Ahmed said he handed personal belongings to one of the students so he could concentrate on the emergency.
He also instructed students to contact emergency services.
Their cooperation helped him focus on stopping the bus and assisting the driver.
School Bus Was Carrying Students From Battle Creek Middle School
The vehicle was transporting children from Battle Creek Middle School, part of Saint Paul Public Schools.
The incident occurred during an afternoon school transportation route.
School officials confirmed that the driver experienced a medical emergency while transporting students.
Although Ahmed initially counted 18 children, later reports indicated that 19 students were aboard.
The difference appears to reflect varying accounts of the number of passengers rather than separate incidents.
Most importantly, authorities reported that no students suffered injuries.
What Happened to the School Bus Driver?
After stopping the bus, Ahmed checked on the driver, who appeared disoriented.
The exact nature of the medical emergency has not been publicly confirmed by school officials.
Although Ahmed believed the driver might have been experiencing a seizure, that observation should not be treated as an official medical diagnosis.
Paramedics arrived and transported the driver to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Saint Paul Public Schools subsequently confirmed that the driver had been released from the hospital and was recovering at home.
The driver’s name has not been publicly disclosed.
School District Arranges Another Bus for Students
Following the emergency, Saint Paul Public Schools arranged alternative transportation.
Another school bus was dispatched to collect the students and complete their journey home.
Some children experienced delays, while others were understandably upset by what they had witnessed.
School administrators recognized that the incident could have affected students emotionally, even though nobody was physically injured.
The following day, the school’s mental health team checked on students to determine whether additional support was needed.
The district also publicly thanked Ahmed for helping protect the children and their driver.
Ebro Ahmed Receives $1,000 for His Heroic Actions
The story took another positive turn on Thursday, October 22, when Ahmed received a $1,000 reward in recognition of his bravery.
The money was presented by Sheletta Brundidge, a Minnesota media entrepreneur and founder of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com.
Brundidge visited Ahmed at the family convenience store to recognize his actions.
She was accompanied by Brian Lepel, who appeared dressed as Superman.
The presentation included an oversized check and photographs celebrating Ahmed’s quick response.
Brundidge praised his decision to intervene rather than simply watch the situation unfold.
The gesture was intended to show appreciation from families and community members who recognized the importance of his actions.
Who Is Ebro Ahmed?
Ebro Ahmed is a 27-year-old Minnesota resident with family roots in Eritrea, a country in East Africa.
He grew up in St. Paul and has maintained strong connections with the local community.
According to Minnesota Public Radio, Ahmed works at his family’s convenience store and has entrepreneurial ambitions.
He hopes to develop a business specializing in vehicle window tinting.
After receiving the $1,000 reward, Ahmed said he intended to invest the money in his business plans.
His sudden national recognition has brought attention not only to his bravery but also to his family and the neighborhood where he grew up.
Ahmed Credits His Faith and Community for His Actions
During interviews, Ahmed explained that his upbringing and religious beliefs influenced his decision to help.
He credited his Muslim faith with teaching him the importance of protecting human life.
He also recognized the positive influence of the Denden Sports Club, an Eritrean American youth organization.
Ahmed said those experiences helped shape his understanding of responsibility toward others.
Although the incident has turned him into a local celebrity, he has repeatedly downplayed the idea that his actions were extraordinary.
He believes helping people in immediate danger is something anyone should try to do.
A Television Show Also Helped Him Stay Calm
One of the most unexpected details from Ahmed’s interviews involved the television medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.
Ahmed explained that watching the series had influenced how he thought about staying composed during emergencies.
He said the fictional doctors often remain focused while responding to difficult situations.
Although television dramas are not substitutes for medical or emergency training, Ahmed felt that the show helped him avoid panicking.
His comments quickly attracted attention as the story spread across national news outlets.
Local Media and Community Members Celebrate the Rescue
The incident has received widespread coverage from American news organizations.
Local stations including KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, KARE 11, FOX 9 and CBS Minnesota reported on Ahmed’s actions.
National publications also shared the story as surveillance footage circulated online.
The attention has brought an outpouring of appreciation from parents, residents and social media users.
Ahmed said the recognition has been overwhelming but rewarding.
He also expressed pride that the story was generating positive attention for East African and Muslim communities.
Saint Paul Public Schools Praises Ebro Ahmed
Saint Paul Public Schools publicly recognized Ahmed’s intervention.
The district thanked him for assisting the driver and helping ensure the students returned home safely.
Officials also confirmed that the driver was recovering after being discharged from the hospital.
The school’s response focused on the well-being of both the driver and the children who experienced the emergency.
The incident demonstrates how quickly an ordinary afternoon school route can turn into a dangerous situation.
It also highlights the importance of recognizing an emergency and responding appropriately.
Latest Update on the Minnesota School Bus Rescue
As of Saturday, October 24, 2026, the latest available reports confirm that Ebro Ahmed successfully stopped the moving school bus in St. Paul after the driver experienced a medical emergency on October 19.
More recent reporting places the number of students aboard at 19, although initial accounts identified 18.
No students were injured.
The driver received medical attention and was later released from the hospital to recover at home.
Ahmed received a $1,000 reward from Sheletta Brundidge and was recognized for his bravery by community members and school officials.
What began as an ordinary afternoon outside a neighborhood convenience store has become a widely celebrated story of courage, quick thinking and a young man who stepped forward when children and their driver needed help.