Student Sees Classmate Crying On Bus, Realizes He’s Lost And Jumps In To Help

Feb 13, 2019 by apost team

How common do you think it is for a teen to come to the aid of a young stranger? Given today’s multitude of headlines touting objectionable teenage behavior, learning of a 15-year-old’s admirable acts is a breath of fresh air. This brings us to the story of Tom O’Brien, a good Samaritan who did not turn a blind eye toward a crying 11-year-old on a Thornton, England bus on the first day of school last year.

While chatting with fellow students, Tom noticed an unnamed boy crying and immediately approached him to inquire about his circumstances. Upon learning that he had boarded the incorrect bus and was frightened due to his lack of money, cell phone, and plan, the young O’Brien sprung into action.

Along with assistance from pupils Dylan Robson and Harry Campbell, Tom resolved to remedy the frightened student's situation, assuring him that he would be home soon. Tom took a ten-pound note from his wallet and hatched a plan to get him into a cab.

Dylan did an instant Internet search for local cab companies, and Tom reached out to a company to arrange for a taxi to arrive at the next bus stop.

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Harry and Dylan disembarked the bus with the troubled traveler in order to accompany him and assure his safe return home. Once the taxi driver realized what the situation was, in a true act of chivalry, he waived the fare for his adolescent passengers.

The story could have ended there, but happily, it did not. A local parent was told about the incident by her son Alex, and she opted to construct a Facebook post praising the effort. She began with, “There really are some truly decent kids out there!”

Knowing only Tom’s first name, his grade and school campus, she made a request for more information if anyone could identify him or his family.

She wanted his relatives to know what a great boy they have raised, and soon, this story would come full circle. Tom’s older sister saw the post after it went viral, and she reached out.

His sibling admitted that she and her family were proud of all three of the boys for helping, adding, “It is just so nice to see teenagers getting some good press for a change.”

Kenny O’Brien, Tom’s father, also reacted, referring to his son as 'thoughtful'. According to Kenny, a humble Tom did not tell him about the day’s earlier events until later in the evening, after there was buzz about it on Facebook.

This inspirational narrative took place on the cusp of a new school year, but it serves as a guiding light all year long, as kids helping kids happens too infrequently. Now that you have been lifted up by reading about Tom’s actions, how many parents and teens in your life can you inspire with this story?