Student responds to bus monitor’s heart attack

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Sept. 1, school bus monitor Tony Riebel experienced a massive heart attack during the bus ride home. Luckily, fifth-grader Jordan Roberts noticed that Riebel stopped talking mid-sentence and slumped slightly, according to a statement from Phyllis Wheatley Elementary.

Roberts, who battles cerebral palsy, got the attention of bus driver Nancy Riebel, Tony’s wife, who began CPR. Paramedics said a few wasted minutes would have cost Tony his life. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Nancy Riebel expressed her gratitude to Roberts, thanking him for demonstrating great responsibility and leadership in calling for a quick response.

“Because of his physical challenges, Jordan is very much attuned not only to his own needs, but those of others,” teacher Carole Anderson said. “He has an unusual ability to articulate those needs and direct people’s attention. It was his quick response to something odd that saved Tony’s life. Others simply didn’t notice he was ill.”

Roberts was recognized for his actions at a Kansas City school board meeting that week, according to local news station WDAF-TV.