Teen Bus Driver Heart Attack: Christian Student Saves Dozens After Bus Driver Dies

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By Brendan Giusti , Christian Post Reporter
January 27, 2012|7:42 am

A bus driver's heart attack prompted a Philadelphia teen to take the wheel and drive the bus.

Graceann Rumer, 17, is credited with performing the heroic feat after her bus driver suffered a fatal heart attack while driving the school bus.

Rumer is being praised by many for saving the bus, which was loaded with children.

While on the bus route, the driver callapsed at the wheel. Rumer grabbed the wheel and spun the bus around, making it do a U-turn, according to reports. She then switched gears and put the bus in park to stop it from moving forward, as she was reportedly unable to reach the break.

"I just realized that there's no one driving this bus, I need to do something," Rumer told NBC Philadelphia.

The moves by Rumer were even more impressive as she had only been driving for two weeks, according to reports.

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The bus driver, Charles Duncan, 51, died after being taken to a local hospital.

None of the students were injured, according to reports. Rumer was able to avoid oncoming traffic as she parked the bus on the side of the road.

The Calvary Christian Academy student is being called a hero.

"We had three of our children on the bus along with dozens of other kids and the outcome could have been much different," parent Renee Lawsin said. "She did something very heroic."

Councelors will reportedly be on hand at Calvary Christian Academy to help students and faculty understand the events.

Rumer is taking the praise in stride.

"I've been doing driver's ed, so that worked out well," she said. "It was just amazing that we didn't get hit or anything."

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