A Milwaukee County bus operator is being hailed as a hometown hero after he bolted from his bus Friday to help two teenagers who had just been struck by a passing vehicle. The transit agency later identified him as Harold B. and said his quick response, including administering first aid and staying with the teens until crews arrived, helped save their lives.
Two teens were struck by a passing vehicle. Harold B. ran to help and stayed with them until emergency crews arrived. #mctsexcellence
— Milwaukee County Transit System
According to Milwaukee County Transit System, the two teens were hit by a passing vehicle when Harold B., a Milwaukee County Transit System operator, ran from his bus to help. He provided aid at the scene and refused to leave their side until emergency responders took over. The agency publicly praised his actions in a Facebook post, tagging it with the hashtag #mctsexcellence.
MCTS Excellence Spotlight
Per the Milwaukee County Transit System, the MCTS Excellence initiative is designed to recognize employees who go beyond their regular duties and to invite riders to submit commendations. The program highlights what the agency calls acts of “kindness, compassion and heroism” that take place across the transit system, from everyday courtesy to split-second decisions like the one Harold made.
Why quick aid matters
State crash data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation underscore how serious pedestrian-involved crashes can be, and local mapping work by Better Streets MKE tracks where serious injuries occur in Milwaukee. That backdrop makes it clear why rapid bystander help and a fast, coordinated emergency response can be lifesaving in the aftermath of a collision.
In its Facebook post, the agency wrote that “two families got a different outcome that day” and thanked Harold B. for stepping in when it mattered. According to the Milwaukee County Transit System, riders who want to recognize bus operators and other staff can submit a commendation through the agency’s website.
