Heroic MTA Driver Rescues 5-Year-Old Girl on Her Way to Pet Store Alone!
A New York City bus driver has been hailed as a hero after taking quick action to help a young girl he saw wandering alone in Manhattan.
Luis Jimenez, a veteran MTA driver, was on duty when he spotted a little girl, no older than five, walking by herself on the sidewalk before suddenly darting into the street.
Jimenez’s fatherly instincts kicked in immediately. “My instinct as a father came on because if I see a kid in the street in need of help, I would want somebody to help one of my children or one of my grandkids,” he said.
It was an ordinary Tuesday in September, and Jimenez had almost called in sick that day. Despite feeling unwell, the 60-year-old completed his morning shift on the M116 bus route.
As he drove past 106th Street and Broadway, he noticed the young girl looking lost and alone.
His wife often worries about him because she knows his sense of responsibility runs deep.
“We have a saying in the MTA, ‘if you see something, say something,’ but for me, it’s more like, ‘if I see something, I will do something,'” Jimenez shared.
Jimenez continued to monitor the girl as he drove his bus, watching her for about a block before deciding to act. He asked a passenger to dial 911 and then stopped the bus to alert his dispatcher about the situation.
With the support of other passengers, Jimenez was able to safely bring the young girl onto the bus away from any potential danger.
When the police arrived, they took over and ensured the little girl was safely reunited with her family.
Authorities later learned that the girl’s school, located ten blocks away, had reported her missing after noticing she wasn’t present in class.
As it turned out, the young girl didn’t have a history of wandering away from school. She had just experienced a sad moment in her life—her pet fish had died.
Heartbroken and determined, she set out on her own with a plan to go to the pet store and replace her lost friend.
Jimenez hopes that despite the ordeal, the girl will find some joy and maybe even a new pet fish. “Times are hard, and things are happening every day, but even with all the negativity in the world, we have to come in with a positive attitude and do what we can to make a difference,” he said.
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Kim, who oversees the “TRACKS” initiative (Together Railroads and Communities Keeping Safe), was among those who praised Jimenez’s actions.
His quick thinking and care showed how everyday heroes can make a real impact in their communities.