Bus driver who rescued boy on slip road among heroes lauded

Some 450 award winners honoured at public transport safety awards ceremony

- Esther Loi

What began as an ordinary Monday morning commute turned into a moment of quiet heroism, thanks to the sharp eyes and swift action of a public bus driver.

During the peak-hour rush on bus service 168 along a TPE slip road, SBS Transit bus captain Lee Chee Chong's heart skipped a beat when he spotted something unusual – a young boy carrying a school bag walking alone on the slip road. Concerned for the child's safety, the 53-year-old father of three boys immediately got off the bus to help him.

Mr Lee, who has been a bus driver with SBS Transit for a decade, said he stopped his vehicle in front of a road crossing when the traffic light was red, and hurried across a lane to escort the boy to the bus.

He later learnt that the boy had missed his school bus and was trying to get to his primary school in Sengkang on foot.

Mr Lee's quick thinking and act of kindness earned him a special commendation award at the Public Transport Safety and Security Awards (PTSSA) ceremony on Aug 22. Some 450 award winners were in attendance.