AUSTIN TX, (KXAN/CNN) - School officials in Texas are thanking a 13-year-old boy for his heroic actions on a school bus last week.
"We were about to go out and then I was like no, I’m not dying. So, I jerked the wheel."
Karson Vega is only in the 7th grade and years away from being allowed to drive a car, let alone a bus.
Karson said when he noticed something was wrong with his bus driver, he knew he had to act.
"I was sitting at the back first and when that started happening I tried to go to the front, Karson said. “He was swerving, and I fell in a couple seats and then got up there."
While Karson was making his way to the driver, another child called 911, but help wasn’t arriving fast enough.
"He started making circles and stuff and he was going off in the ditch almost every turn, Karson said."
The bus was heading over the Colorado River, when the bus driver had a medical emergency while his feet were still on the pedal.
"I kicked them over a little, so I could get the brake…and turn the flashers on,” Karson said.
With no place to pull over, Karson said he did all he knew to do.
"I sat on his lap and moved his hands and just drove."
Karson drove until the police arrived, then safely brought the bus, with five other kids on-board, to a stop.
School officials said they are grateful for Karson’s heroic reaction.
"It could have been a very tragic situation, but it turned out better than you could ever imagine," Superintendent, William D. Wagner said.
Karson’s mom, Amber Vega said she usually picks him up, but there is a reason why he was on that bus that day.
According to local media reports, the bus driver is expected to be ok after being hospitalized and released.
Details on the medical emergency he suffered weren't immediately available.
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