Bus driver rescued a 5-year-old girl who was walking alone: ​​”It was my paternal instinct”

Last Thursday, September 10, 2024, experienced MTA driver Luis Jiménez He carried out a heroic act by rescuing a five-year-old girl who was walking alone on the streets of New York, United States. What began as a routine work day for Jiménez ended up becoming a situation that activated his paternal instinct.

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Jiménez, who was driving his bus on route M116 at the time, noticed a little girl walking alone near 106th Street and Broadway. Without thinking twice, the driver decided to observe her for a block, concerned for the minor’s well-being.

“At the MTA we have a saying: ‘If you see something, say something.’ But in my case, in addition to saying something, I did something,” commented Jiménez, in an interview with the local media WABC.

Upon realizing that the girl was still walking alone, the driver asked a passenger to call 911. After stopping the bus, Jiménez contacted its operator and, along with the other passengers, He put the little girl in the vehicle to keep her safe while they waited for the authorities to arrive. The driver’s quick action was key to preventing the situation from escalating.

Shortly after, the NYPD confirmed that they had received an emergency call reporting a missing girl in the area of ​​West 95th Street and West End Avenue. According to the Police Department spokesperson, upon arriving at the scene and conducting the first investigations, the officers began to track multiple calls to 911 that reported sightings of the little girl, one of these being the one that reported that the little girl had been seen aboard the M116 bus.

The story behind the girl’s disappearance is as moving as her rescue. According to WABC, The little girl had decided to skip school after the death of her pet fish, with the intention of going to a pet store to buy a replacement. Although she was not injured, medical services went to the scene to evaluate her, confirming that she was in good health.

Jiménez, 60, said that his instinct as a father was what led him to act immediately. “It was my paternal instinct. I thought about my children and grandchildren. If any of them were in that situation, I would like someone to step in to help,” he commented.

This is not the first noble gesture by the veteran driver, who has been working at the MTA for years. In addition to his job driving buses, Jiménez is a member of the Timeless Torches, a dance group made up of men and women over 40 who perform at New York Liberty games.

In fact, just three days after the rescue, Jiménez took the stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to perform during the WNBA Finals, demonstrating her energetic spirit and commitment to her community both inside and outside of work.

“Helping people is the best thing in the world,” he mentioned, referring to his passion for public service.

The story of Jiménez and his brave act has resonated throughout New York City, where his ability to act quickly and his kindness have been praised for all those who knew the case.

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