Prince Rupert Operator provides emergency transportation for seizure victim

Will Dircks has been driving the bus in Prince Rupert for more than 37 years, and he’s never experienced anything quite like what happened on January 6.

“It was the middle of the day, and I pulled my bus into the stop on Kootenay Avenue to find a man lying on the ground and surrounded by first responders,” said Will Dircks. “He was kind of half on the road and half on the sidewalk, with four firefighters working to get him stabilized.”

The person in question, who seemed to be in his early 30’s, had experienced a seizure, and the firefighters had put a blanket over him as it was a cold and wet day. Will was standing there and feeling a bit powerless but offered for them to bring the man onto his bus.

“They were really appreciative, because they don’t usually have the opportunity to move victims into a warm location and have to support them wherever they are, which was not a good spot in this instance.”

An ambulance was requested, but due to the distance from the location for available resources, the firefighters were told it would take about 50 minutes for help to arrive. While the victim was now warm and stable, Will felt strongly that he needed further care, and offered to take them directly to the hospital on his bus. The firefighters were blown away by the offer and took him up on it, with two of them staying with the victim and the other two following in the fire truck.

Will messaged his supervisor to let him know what was happening, and his other passengers were picked up by the next scheduled bus on the route after about a 20-minute wait.

“I got to the hospital and lowered my ramp so they could take him off the bus in a wheelchair from the hospital. The most senior firefighter said he’s been around a long time and had never seen anything like that before. He was really impressed.”

The firefighters weren’t the only ones. The victim’s mother and stepfather had arrived at the hospital, and the overwhelmed mom gave Will a big hug to thank him for helping her son.

“With transit we see a lot of smaller incidents in our community, but nothing quite like this with so many people involved. Everybody worked together and it worked out.”

Will then returned his bus to the yard, took his two-hour lunch break, and was back behind the wheel for his afternoon shift as if it was just another day. As Prince Rupert is such a tight knit community, Will later found out the man was kept in the hospital for observation and to manage his health, but that he was later released and is doing fine. We also know that the man was grateful for the first responders who showed up, and the considerate bus driver that helped make sure he got the care he needed.

“I really like driving the bus, but it’s really all about my relationship with the people. I think it’s three generations now since I started driving. Some of the babies that were on my bus in the early years are now having their own children and even grandchildren. It’s really rewarding.”

Keolis Canada, BC Transit and the people of Prince Rupert are grateful to Will Dircks for his actions that day, and his ongoing commitment to his customers and community.