A bus driver from Metro Transit is receiving recognition for his exceptional effort in aiding a 9-year-old boy with special needs who got lost.
The bus driver, Ambrose Younge, was at the end of his route when he noticed a 9-year-old boy carrying a backpack wandering the streets alone, despite the fierce snowstorm.
Minneapolis bus driver helps lost 9-year-old boy
According to KARE, Minneapolis bus driver Younge was going about his day when he saw something that caused him to become concerned.
He spotted a 9-year-old boy standing alone on the road wearing a backpack on a day that school was canceled.
Younge noticed the boy was trying to get into a car by tugging on its door handle. The car, which looked like a rideshare, drove off, and the boy fell into the street.
As a responsible adult, Younge realized that the boy might be lost, and he decided to keep an eye on him. He felt something needed to be done to ensure the child's safety.
Younge stated that the weather conditions that day were terrible, with heavy snowfall, which made his observation of the boy even more concerning.
After observing the boy for a while, Younge approached him and asked if he needed help. He invited the child to board his bus, Route 7.
The boy appeared anxious and slightly distressed, which made Younge more concerned.
He noticed that the child was non-verbal, which meant that it was difficult to communicate with him.
Despite the communication barrier, Younge remained patient and engaged with the child during their conversation. He wanted to ensure that the boy felt safe and cared for.
While on board, Younge contacted the Transit Control Center to seek assistance and ensure the boy would be returned to his guardians safely.
Caring for the community
According to Metro Transit, John Mills, a TCC supervisor, received the call from Younge and acted promptly.
He checked with the police to see if there were any reports of a missing child that matched the description provided by Younge.
Mills commended Younge for his actions, stating that he did everything right in the given situation.
This demonstrated the importance of communication and cooperation between authorities and individuals to ensure the community's safety.
In this case, the Minneapolis police received a report of a lost autistic child that matched the description provided by Younge.
The child had wandered away from home and was located about 15 blocks from where he lived. Both police departments worked together to ensure the child's safe return home.
This highlights the importance of having well-trained authorities who can handle such situations with sensitivity and care.
Furthermore, the Metro Transit Police's training includes working with autistic individuals, which enabled Patrol Officer Juan Peralta to work with the child and ensure his safe return home.
The child's parents were extremely grateful for Peralta's help, which showed how small acts of kindness and empathy can significantly impact people's lives.
Younge, according to TODAY, expressed that he sees himself as a father figure and would have hoped that someone would have taken similar actions if his child was in a similar situation.
He believes his actions were not heroic but what anyone would do in a similar situation.
He added that bus operators are an integral part of the community and responsible for keeping an eye out for the people they serve.
This highlights the importance of being a responsible citizen and looking out for others, especially vulnerable individuals who may need assistance.
