A Spencerport Central School District bus driver is being called a hero for his alertness and quick response to a situation on his bus. Don Tyson was taking students home from Bernabi Elementary School Wednesday, September 14. Passengers alerted him to the struggles of kindergarten student Alexander Cona, five, who was choking on a piece of candy given to him by another student. Tyson checked his mirror and realized that Alex was not breathing and pulled the bus to the side of the road. Tyson performed the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged a piece of hard candy from the child's throat. The Spencerport Central School District does not allow eating on buses and the students on bus #57 learned an important lesson in support of that rule. Building staff will remind students about the importance of not eating on the bus - for this reason, and out of concern for students with food allergies. Bus drivers will also continue to educate students about this important safety topic. Superintendent Mary Anne Kermis said Tyson will be recognized by the Spencerport School District Board of Education for his alert response. Alexander's parents, Randy and Michelle Cona, presented him with a gift in appreciation and recognition of his heroic actions. September 25, 2005 |
