TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A bus operator in Florida is being hailed a hero after she found a lost child in the middle of a busy road and later helped reunite him with his family.
“Oh my God. There’s a baby out there by himself,” Barbara Baker, an operator with Hillsborough Transit Authority, was heard saying when she spotted a young boy standing in the middle of a street.
HART said Baker quickly pulled her bus to the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and brought the child out of harm’s way.
HART said Baker remained with the child until officers with the local police department arrived.
“This is a powerful reminder that our Operators do far more than drive buses — they also serve as guardians of the community every single day,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “Operator Baker’s courage and attentiveness exemplify the dedication and heart that define our team.”
HART said its operators are trained to stay vigilant and situationally aware of lost children, human trafficking and more.
“This incident highlights the vital role they play in protecting and serving the residents and visitors of Hillsborough County,” HART said. “Well done, Operator Baker — your heroism inspires us all!”