Bus driver praised for actions during medical emergency

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — A driver from Alamo Bus Co. recently performed CPR on a student who was unresponsive on her bus and is being hailed as a hero by Alamogordo Public Schools officials.

Passengers alerted Velma Woodcock to the medical emergency, and she pulled her bus off the road. She found the student unresponsive with blood coming from his mouth.

When the student did not respond to his name and began to shake, Woodcock asked a parent to call 911. Woodcock performed CPR on the student, who was not breathing.

After the paramedics and police arrived, Woodcock handled her own medical condition (asthma) with an inhaler and continued her duties. She finished her route, reassuring students as she dropped them off at their destinations.

After completing the route, Woodcock went to check on the student, who had been transported to a hospital by paramedics.

District officials praised Woodcock for her actions during the situation, saying that she responded to each challenge in a professional manner and did everything right.

It is highly probable that, because of her quick and decisive actions, she saved the young man's life, they added.