A heroic trucker saved a busload of passengers after realizing the coach’s brakes had failed on a winding road.
Elías René Valladares Mejía was driving his flatbed truck when he noticed one of the coach’s tires was smoking. After alerting the bus driver, Valladares learned the brakes had given out.
Without hesitation, he decided to act, pulling his truck in front of the bus to gradually bring it to a stop using the back of his trailer.
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“I put my trust in God because it’s not easy to pull off a maneuver like that,” Valladares said, reflecting on the nerve-wracking rescue, which took place on October 18 in El Portillo near Ocotepeque, western Honduras.
Thanks to his quick thinking, dozens of passengers, including children, were saved from what could have been a disaster.
Dashcam footage captured the tense moment as Valladares carefully braked in front of the out-of-control coach, gently bringing it to a stop on the narrow, bendy road. Passengers, visibly relieved, exited the coach through its windows.
Valladares’ courageous actions earned him widespread praise, including recognition from Honduran National Congress president Luis Redondo.
“When you saw the danger, you didn’t hesitate to step in, risking your life to save others,” Redondo said, calling Valladares’ intervention a story of “courage and selflessness.”
Reflecting on the rescue, Valladares added, “Let’s always look out for others because at any moment someone might need our help. It’s a beautiful thing to lend a hand when you can.”
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SOURCE: Hero trucker saves coach full of passengers after brakes fail on bendy road
