When one imagines the day-to-day events a bus driver's days may be filled with, mundane and ordinary activities like driving a bus are the first things that come to mind. However, this was a different matter entirely for bus driver Tim Watson who experienced a significant change in his routine one fateful day.
When two strangers got on the bus that day, Tim got an uneasy feeling. Something didn't feel right and he decided to pay close attention to what was going on around him. This was shaping up to be a day Tim Watson would never forget.
When two strangers got on the bus that day, Tim got an uneasy feeling. Something didn't feel right and he decided to pay close attention to what was going on around him. This was shaping up to be a day Tim Watson would never forget.
Just Another Average Joe
Tim Watson was a long-time resident in Northern California who appeared to be a normal public bus driver to the public eye. However, on this occasion he turned out to be something more than we expected. He showed his heroic side on this fateful day and left everyone in shock.
As the saying goes not all heroes wear capes, and Tim was definitely a hero for what he did that day. His actions that day showed that he was more than just a typical public bus driver, he was a superhero in disguise.
His Regular Passengers
Tim Watson was generally a nice man who appreciated his job and loved to interact with people. He had his regular passengers with whom he had formed a friendly bond and could talk and joke with easily. They had become true friends over time.
As he picked them up regularly and dropped them off at their usual stops he made small talk with most of them on the way. He easily made friends with them and they got to know each other better and expected nothing more from them than to drive people to their destination.
The Man And the Young Boy
On what appeared to be a normal day for both Tim and his passengers turned into something different entirely. Carrying out his usual routine and maneuvering through his planned route, a young man and child walked into the bus.
They were not people Tim regarded as regulars as he did not know them and had not seen them before. At first, Tim thought nothing of it and expected that they were passengers. However as they sat, Tim observed something strange.
Odd Behaviour
As Tim drove on keeping his eyes on the road, he observed something odd about the two strange passengers. There was some sort of odd behaviour shown by these two, and this strange feeling got Tim a little bit concerned.
He guessed that the older man would be in his mid-twenties and observed that he seemed to be a bit distracted in a very strange way. What actually made Tim worry was how this young man treated the young boy.
A Weird Feeling
These two sat towards the middle of the vehicle and the young boy appeared to be restless and seemed uncomfortable for some strange reason. The young man could be seen trying very hard to restrict and curtail the young boy.
As he tried to restrain him, the child started crying. Children crying on the bus was not a new thing for Tim as he had seen kids cry on the bus on several occasions. However, this situation felt a bit different to Tim.
Quietly Observing
As Tim drove on, he decided to pay close attention to this little boy. He quietly watched his interaction with the young man and studied his demeanour. He watched through his rearview mirror and tried figuring out what was wrong.
As he studied the strange passengers, he noticed something very unsettling. There was blatant fear in the eyes of the young boy. This was not the typical tantrum he was used to. Tim was sure that this was a unique situation.
The Young Man
As they kept moving and Tim kept worrying and watching the child, the situation began to get more suspicious. The young boy cried with fear in his eyes and wouldn't stop even after being reprimanded by the young man.
In response to the increasing tantrum, the man began to get agitated and more anxious as he urged him to stay quiet. The man appeared to be a bit uneasy as the young boy neglected his urge and kept on crying.
Something Very Familiar
Apart from the fact that both passengers' behaviour felt a bit weird, Tim also felt that the situation seemed a bit familiar. It seemed like he was having a deja vu. Something about the strange situation pulled at Tim's thoughts.
He couldn't seem to place where he had seen a similar situation and tried so hard to place a finger on what it was. Tim had to think hard about this familiar situation and after a while it hit him.
A Recent News Report
Suddenly, he recalled the news report he had read just earlier that morning. The news reported a missing person, and the newspaper had described the person as a 3-year-old boy. Tim tried to remember all he read about the story.
The young boy, according to the newspaper, had been missing from the San Francisco library. Tim tried to get more information from his brain concerning what he had read that morning. He wanted more details before he could make a move.
He Trusted His Paternal Instincts
Tim Watson was a father himself, he had two children. As a result, he possessed certain paternal instincts which kept pointing out that something was definitely wrong somewhere. The fact that he was also a father probably played a very huge role in what he did next.
He felt strongly that he needed to do something. He needed to save this young boy, especially if this was the child the police were desperately looking for. He didn't want to make quick assumptions but he couldn't help himself. His gut told him this child was in serious danger.
How To Be a Hero
As Tim drove on, he kept thinking of the best action to take. He wanted to help the boy, but he must move wisely and make the best decision for this child especially if he didn't want him getting hurt in the process.
Soon he concluded that the best way for him to confirm this weird feeling was to take a closer look at the crying child. This was a big problem as he didn't know how to achieve that while driving.
Acting Quickly Under Pressure
Tim Watson tried his best to give a calm and undisturbed posture. He appeared to seemed completely calm and unbothered about what was going on. This was to make the young man feel more relaxed, however, this plan didn't seem to work.
He soon noticed that the man was a bit agitated and hyper-aware of his surroundings. As he looked out the window and fidgeted consistently, it seemed like he wanted to get off the bus. Tim realized he needed to act quickly.
He Hatched a Clever Plan
An idea sprung up and immediately he made an urgent announcement, saying that a previous rider had left a green backpack in the bus. He said this so confidently to remove any doubts as to the veracity of his claim.
Tim needed an excuse to stop the bus and find out what exactly was going on. Tim indicated that this fictional forgotten backpack was of great importance. This story gave him the opportunity to stop and 'search' the bus for the imaginary bag.
Familiar Shoes
Tim immediately stopped the bus and began searching for the backpack. The passengers also seemed concerned and were very cooperative as they checked under their seats for the backpack. He needed to get a closer look at the strange duo.
He decided to take a good look at the distressed boy. Surprisingly, the boy was in the same outfit as the child who had been reported missing. His outfit also included a pair of an unmistakably bright red shoes which he easily recognised. This further strengthened his decision.
Dialling 911
This was all the confirmation Tim needed. After the futile search for the nonexistent backpack, Tim returned to his seat and began to think of the next step to take. As he continued driving he devised stage two of his plan.
For the next part of his ingenious plan, Tim needed to reach out to the authorities. The engine of the bus was quite loud and he figured it could cover up his hushed voice, Tim cautiously got his phone and dialled 911.
Strict Instructions
In such a precarious situation, anyone would be afraid and Tim was not left out. He was scared for the boy, scared for himself, and as well as the other passengers onboard the bus. He needed good instructions on the best step to take.
After explaining the situation to the police, they gave him strict instructions on what action to take in his vulnerable state. Despite his fear and nervousness, he was determined to save the kidnapped boy and this determination outweighed his fear.
Following the Police's Instructions
During the call with the police, Tim was asked to continue on his route and stay as calm as possible. He was to go to the next scheduled stop and try to remain relaxed as the police were at work on handling the precarious situation.
Tim was quite anxious but tried to keep a straight and unbothered face. He went about his normal route and followed the instruction to go to his scheduled stop. The police assured Tim that they would be waiting there, but Tims' heart was beating out of his chest.
The Ambush
Tim drove on cautiously and as instructed stopped at the scheduled stop where the police were ready waiting. As soon as Tim arrived at the stop, the police quickly surrounded the bus leaving the alighting passengers surprised and in shock.
The police officers covered both exits as they waited for the young man and the young boy to come down from the bus. The passengers alighted one after the other and were surprised by the ambush. Soon the suspect emerged with the child.
The Amazing Capture
On sighting the young boy, they could affirm that he was the missing child they had been looking for. Without any further hesitation they took the boy from the hands of the kidnapper. This happened suddenly leaving no means of escape for the suspect.
They quickly arrested the kidnapped as he struggled and fought to run away. Despite his struggle, they were able to capture and arrest him. The boy was aware of what was happening and held onto the hand of an officer.
Celebrating
This act of bravery brought Tim, the driver, so much praise and appreciation. The boy's parents were so happy and relieved that their son had been saved and was alive and well. All this wouldn't have happened if not for Tim and his daring heroics.
The family of the kidnapped boy was so glad and grateful towards Tim. The police also showed their appreciation and commended his bravery and vigilance. As a result, Tim Watson became a near-celebrity, but this was just the beginning.
An Inspiration to All
Tims' fame grew far and wide as he was called by many TV stations for interviews. His story was written on various news sites all over the world. He even threw the first pitch at a San Jose Giants Minor League baseball game.
Tims' story touched everyone who heard it and he was constantly appreciated and praised. Touched by this uncommon attention, Tim admitted that one of his fellow bus driver's tragic experiences reminded him to stay alert when he was working.
Renita Smith
Renita Smith was the name of the colleague Tim got his inspiration from. She was a bus driver and her experience one fateful day had made Tim realise just how vital their job was and how they needed to be vigilant and extra-cautious.
Renita didn't drive a public bus as Tim did, she drove the school bus route twice a day and this means that she was responsible for the lives of more than 2 dozen kids. In 2016, she did something courageous, something that made the headlines.
Renitas' Heroic Act
Renita Smith was a local hero, and her courageous actions proved this fact. In 2016, she rushed into a flaming school bus to ensure that her passengers were safe. Though she felt it was her responsibility many people saw her bravery.
The pictures of a burning school bus and the story of a brave Renita Smith had circulated around the internet. She was hailed as a hero by students and the public. One of her admirers even made an online post that went viral.
The Footage
The footage of this brave woman was shared across the internet and soon went viral as people appreciated her courage. Fazlul Kabir, a member of the City of College Park Council, had decided to make a post on the incident.
He posted images of a burned-out bus and a video of the inferno. This footage was taken from the dashcam of a firefighter and was shared with all news outlets. With the attention it got, it soon reached the attention of Ellen DeGeneres.
The Details
The popular talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, soon got wind of the amazing story. However, there were some things she later found out about Smith that surprised Ellen. The popular TV host had found out some rather shocking things about the heroic Renita Smith.
The TV host had discovered some surprising facts about Renita's background that left her surprised. She found these details pretty interesting and decided to invite the mom of two to her show to try to straighten things out.
Renitas' Life
Renita Smith started driving the school bus back in 2014. When she first started, she had no idea that she would be in the midst of the popular Ellen DeGeneres nor grace her couch on the show. This was something totally unexpected that she never dreamed of ever happening.
Renita lived in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. This was around 20 miles southeast of Washington, D.C. Renita Smith's daily driving schedule included driving through the area's Prince George County Public Schools. All in all, she lived a pretty normal life and never thought she would ever become a local celebrity.
Renitas' Passion
To Renita, driving the school buswasn't just mere work. She didn't drive to only make ends meet. She had a passion for driving and loved meeting new pupils. It was more than a job for her, it was what made her fulfilled.
Renita loved what she did and always embraced the opportunity to meet new students. She shared a bond with each pupil and this made her especially happy. As a mom herself, Renita Smith understood pretty well the gravity of her responsibility in protecting these kids.
A Loving Mother
Renita Smith was a mother, and she knew what the responsibility of driving school kids entailed. It would be very worrisome to send your children to the outside world without your supervision. This concern was well known to Renita Smith and was probably why she paid such close attention to her job.
She was well aware of the concerns of the children's parents and treated all the students with utmost care. She treated them like a mother would and safely dropped them back at home at the end of a school day.
Something Odd
As a result of this, Renita took her job very seriously and was always alert and ready to help the pupils in any way necessary. So when trouble struck that fateful Monday evening on September 2016, Renita Smith was ready.
Her maternal instincts kicked in and she knew what she had to do. On her regular route, dropping the children from Glenarden Woods Elementary School and Robert Goddard Elementary School, she spotted an ominous sight which suddenly appeared on her dashboard.
The Warning Light
That fateful Monday, Renita Smith was driving the pupils back to their homes in the College Park area of Maryland which was close to the D.C border and northeast of Washington. It was almost 5:00 in the evening.
Renita had made the third drop-off of her last group of students for the day. However, as she got ready to head for her next stop, she sighted the warning light which showed on her dashboard, something was obviously very wrong and she had to react quickly.
The Brake Light
The warning light was coming from the brake light indicator. The brake lights had come to alert Renita that there was some mechanical issue with the brakes. This warning was the start of something more serious, something even bigger than what she imagined.
Renita being an experienced driver figured that she could make it safely to the next drop before checking what was wrong with the bus. However before she could check, the events that followed unfolded quicker than she could have thought.
Something Was Burning
Not knowing what was going to happen, Renita set off for the next drop-off point which was just a block or two away. She felt she would be able to get to the next stop before she checked the problem.
However, she only made it as far as the next stop sign. At this point, the pupils were already agitated. They were aged four to nine years. There was a burning smell in the bus and they quickly alerted Renita.
Speaking Up
Not many details were heard about this story until Renita was invited to the DeGeneres show and she gave a full account of what had happened and how the pupils had called her attention to something burning in the bus.
In 2016, during her interview with Ellen, Smith spoke about the events more clearly. She said, "I got maybe to the next stop sign and my babies said, 'Miss bus driver, we smell smoke' ". This was how they got her attention.
Urgent Stop
This announcement by the students alerted Renita that something was very wrong and she needed to take action immediately. She needed to find where the smell was coming from and also take the kids to safety. This was a very urgent matter that might mean life or death.
As she described the events of that day she said, " We didn't see the smoke, but we could smell it… and the smell — I can't explain it — was horrible, and the kids were saying, 'Ms. Bus driver, the bus is smoking' ".
The Source
As the burning smell increased, Renita knew she had to figure out where it was coming from but she couldn't find the source. She needed to act quickly to stop further damage and safeguard the children. She decided to call the transportation manager.
She knew she had to report this event to the transportation manager and as she reached for her radio she glanced in the rear-facing side mirror. And in it, she could see exactly where the burning smell was coming from.
Not Wasting Any Time
Renita knew she needed to act fast after seeing where the source of the smoke was. As she looked in the side rear-view mirror she would see the fire and her first thoughts were how to protect these little children.
In an interview with Today she said, "When I picked up the radio and I looked through my side rearview mirror, I saw the fire". This was when she knew how serious the situation was and her maternal instincts kicked in.
Rescuing the Kids
The smart kids were also aware of the danger and they knew just what to do. Immediately they sighted the fire they knew the next thing to do and so they formed a single file line ready to get off.
Renita also acted very fast when she spotted the flames, she needed to help these children out. Recalling the events she proudly told Today, "I unbuckled my safety belt, I opened the door and got my babies off that bus".
Left Behind
This incident had happened so fast. Howeeverc luckily for them they were ina a residential area and that was where the bus was parked. This meant that the neighbours in that area were available to assist Renita in rescuing the children from the burning bus.
As soon as they saw what was happening they rushed to assist in escorting the children away from the bus to safety. Renita was still worried about whether all the kids had been rescued, or if someone had been left behind.
Double Checking
Renita was not comfortable with the thought that a kid would be left on the bus, she needed to make sure that no one was left there. She needed to go back to the burning bus and check for herself.
She outlined this in her interview with DeGeneres, she said, "The neighbours jumped in and got the babies to a safe haven, and then I ran back into the bus because I had to. Make sure all of my babies were accounted for."
All Rescued
As everyone made their way to a safe place and away from the burning bus as quickly as possible to avoid being engulfed in the flames, Renita ran back to the bus, although it was rapidly filling with fumes and smoke.
Renita took her time to check every seat until she was satisfied that the vehicle was clear and there was no child left on the bus. Satisfied that no one was left behind, she then had to get herself to safety.
Perfect Timing
After Renita had confirmed that no child was left in the burning vehicle, she checked the final seat at the rear of the bus and then ran back towards the door. It seemed like Renita had timed her perfect exit.
As she reached the last step to safety, the bus suddenly got engulfed in flames behind her. At this moment she had no concern for herself, just the children who had been kept in her care. To her, her own safety seemed unimportant.
Down In Flames
For what seemed like a superhero scene in a movie, Renita had said she was not aware of the danger until she saw the footage of the inferno. She was completely unaware of the danger she had put herself in.
As soon as everyone had caught their breaths from the incident, they realised the gravity of what had just happened. As the fire was still raging, though contained to the bus, it was already burning intensely and the bus was engulfed in flames.
Awaiting Help
Everything was up in flames, there was little any resident could do at this point, everyone was just glad that all children had been led to safety. The bus was burning down and there was nothing to be done.
Lucy Kilin told NBC, "The fire was going too fast. I had a little extinguisher (but) it was too late. I couldn't do anything." They could only watch the smoke increase and the flames consume the school as they waited.
Firefighters Arrive
Soon the first responders arrived to tend to the fire. The footage which had gone viral was obtained from the dashboard camera of a volunteer firefighter who was on the scene. It showed the pillar of smoke rising from the bus.
The footage showed how thick and black the smoke was as it rose up from the school bus and the planes which leaked from its roof. The emergency responder at the scene was heard saying the bus was "fully engulfed."
Recalling the Incident
For anyone at the scene of that incident, they were sure of how serious the situation was. Smith however had only the children in mind and didn't realise the gravity of the situation until she watched the footage of the fire.
She explained to DeGeneres, "That's what brought tears and emotions: the what-ifs. And I didn't know (the fire) was that bad until (I watched the video)." However, thanks to Renita Smiths' quick action the children were not harmed.
Post of Appreciation
Everyone who had heard the news on the inferno and rescue was grateful to this hero of a person. They showed their appreciation in several ways. To many Renita was very brave and deserved a reward for her courageous actions.
Fazlul Kabir posted images of the burned-out bus on Facebook and shared some praises for Renita. He said, "A big thank you to our school bus driver… who had saved 20 elementary school kids from a bus fire that destroyed the bus."
A Happy Ending
It was obvious from Kabirs' post that he was very proud of his school bus driver and wanted to show just how much he appreciated her courageous actions. His post which was accompanied by the picture of the bus continued —
"Not only did Smith take each one of the 20 kids from the bus one by one, but (she) also went (back) again into the empty bus while it was still burning. Thankfully all the school kids went home safe."
She Was a Brave Woman
Fazlul Kabir continued showering praises on this brave woman. In an interview with ABC in 2016, Kabir described the events. He said, "Without Smith, the school children wouldn't have been saved… she went inside for the very last time."
He continued, "She went inside to check each seat to see if any of the students were left there… It's a fairly long bus actually. It's not a small bus. She checked if everyone was out, and nobody was inside… she's brave."
Grateful Parents
Everyone was grateful to Renita for her brave actions. They all had something to say about how brave the bus driver was. She soon became a figure they all appreciated and looked up to. She was surprised by this reaction.
One of the passengers also had something to say, "I think it was extremely heroic, and it was very amazing… if she hadn't done that, I don't know what would have happened." The children were later picked up by their grateful parents.
A Pupil's Side Of the Story
The students also gave their accounts of what had happened that Monday. One of the students who was rescued was Lisa Maitland, who told WJLA-TV that she had not been aware of what was happening until she heard someone shout.
She said that someone in the bus shouted "fire!" She continued, "When I was smelling the smoke, it smelled like a rubber kind of gas." Even though she was now aware of the dangerous situation, she had a very important distraction.
Brave Sister
In her interview, Maitland continued by saying, "I felt scared". The little girl must have been very scared at that time, with the fire burning the bus and the children crying. She didn't know what to do but she couldn't cry.
Maitland continued, "I was about to cry, but my brother did instead, so I helped him." The calm approach Renita used to evacuate the children from the burning bus was what saved lives. Her bravery was recognised by the school.
Renita Smiths' Day
As everyone gave their appreciation, Renita Smiths' school was not left out. Glenarden Woods Elementary School realised that Smith had performed way beyond her duty as a bus driver and decided to give her the honour that she wholly deserved.
In her honour, the school named September 2, 2016, Renita Smith Day. There was also a party held in her honour which was attended by hundreds of students. This was to thank her and when she walked in, everyone cheered.
Party In Renitas' Honor
The party was a very big one as all who wanted to appreciate this hero personally came and showered their thanks to her. She was overwhelmed with the attention as she felt she was only performing her duty as the bus driver.
Hundreds of students came with banners that read "Thank you!" Renita was also given her own personal performance by the school choir. The nearby Dubai High School Marching Tigers band also attended the ceremony and played in honor of Renita.
A Plaque For Bravery
As a result of all the love she was being shown, Renita wept. She was so happy with the recognition. It was more than she would ever expect and she didn't know how to show how touched she was by this gesture.
As the students she had rescued handed a rose each, she wept. A plaque was also unveiled in her honour by the CEO of the school district, Dr. Kevin Maxwell. He told NBC, Washington, "I saw the smoke and flames.."
Meeting Ellen
The reward for her bravery didn't stop at that. She still had more coming for her and this started with an invitation to the Ellen DeGeneres TV show. As the story was picked by the local news it soon spread reaching Ellen.
As it got to the office of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, who was a well-loved TV personality, she just knew she had to carry the story. She invited Renita over to her program to give her a moment in the spotlight. This was more than Renita could imagine.
First Flight
There was something about Renita that shocked Ellen when she got to learn about it. She was very surprised by how the hero had lived her life. She wasn't aware that this was how Renita had lived for a while and felt surprised.
Renita was actually living on the deadline and was supporting a teenage son and a young daughter. In fact, her moment on the Burbank, California-based Ellen Show was the first time she has ever flown. This was a huge surprise for Ellen.
Proud Children
Having children of her own, if anything happened to the hero, this would be a big problem for her children and she was the one taking care of them. Talking to Today, she said that the kids had been scared to see the pictures.
She said, "It scared them a little once they saw the pictures, but they have been awesome: they are always supportive of their mom." Although she may not wear a cape, to her kids, Renita was a superhero.
A Gift
Her children have always viewed her as a hero even before this incident. They were proud of their mom and loved her dearly. Renita was also proud to have them like her kids and she was always protective of them.
Explaining to Ellen, she said, "My son, one of his friends texted him and (said), 'your mom is a hero!' And (he said), 'My mom has always been a hero.' " To make Renita's life a little easier, Ellen gifted her.
$20,000 Check
As a reward for her bravery, Ellen DeGeneres handed Renita Smith a check for $20,000. This money was a gift from the Image publishing firm Shutterfly, which offered donations to people with inspiring stories like Renita, using The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
According to the website, the Shutterfly company has helped lots of people with inspiring stories. The company has handed out about $2 million to date and is still on the path of making people happy with their heavy donations.
Playing Down The Heroism
Despite the apparent fact of this heroic act, Smith has continued to play down the heroism. Expanding this to ABC News she said, "When I'm driving (you), you're my children until I drop you off to your biological parents."
Renita Smith continued, saying that, "I have to handle each child with care — as a mommy would her own — so that is what I did. That is what I hope any human being would do for any child."