In a terrifying incident that could have ended in disaster, a bus conductor’s quick reaction saved the lives of 35 passengers after the driver suffered a fatal heart attack while driving through Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district on Friday.

The incident unfolded when a private bus heading toward Pudukottai was passing through the Kanakampatti area. The driver, 30-year-old Prabhu from Palani, reportedly began to feel intense chest pain and attempted to signal the conductor. However, he collapsed at the wheel before help could arrive.

As the bus continued moving without control, conductor Vimal Kumar sprang into action. Without hesitation, he rushed to the driver’s seat and managed to stop the bus by physically applying the brakes. Surveillance footage from inside the bus shows passengers panicking as the conductor lunged forward, removed his bag, and reached for the brakes with his hands.

No Passenger Received Serious Injuries

The sudden braking caused a female passenger seated at the front to be thrown from her seat. Fortunately, no one on board sustained serious injuries. The conductor then switched off the engine and, along with other passengers, tried to revive Prabhu, but the driver was declared dead at the scene.

The dramatic rescue, recorded on the bus’s CCTV camera, has gone viral on social media, drawing praise for the conductor’s life-saving reflexes. According to police, the entire episode lasted only a few minutes, but the outcome could have been catastrophic without Vimal Kumar’s intervention.

Local law enforcement has launched an inquiry into the event. Authorities have obtained the CCTV footage and are interviewing the bus staff and several passengers to piece together the sequence of events. The case is currently being handled by Chatrapatti police.

Similar Incident Took Place Before

Tragically, this isn’t an isolated event. Similar incidents involving sudden cardiac arrests have raised alarms across the country. In November last year, a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) driver named Kiran collapsed while driving a bus near Yeshwantpur. He was just 39 years old.

In recent months, heart attack-related deaths have become more frequent, often occurring during regular daily activities. Among the shocking cases reported: a 22-year-old bride-to-be died during her Haldi ceremony in Uttar Pradesh, a man in Ambikapur passed away while trying to start his scooter, and a 50-year-old collapsed while dancing at his wedding anniversary in Bareilly.

These cases highlight a concerning rise in cardiac health incidents in India, affecting individuals during work, celebrations, and daily routines.

While the death of driver Prabhu is deeply saddening, the conductor’s presence of mind prevented what could have been a major tragedy on the road turning a heartbreaking loss into a moment of courageous action.