Bus driver honoured for saving passenger’s life

Ottawa – OC Transpo driver Daniel Mann is the 2005 TRANSECURE Employee of the Year. He received the award at the 16^th annual TRANSECURE awards ceremony this morning, for his role in saving a passenger’s life.   

On October 22, Bus Operator Daniel picked up an elderly male on the corner of Rideau and King Edward. The passenger required the use of a cane and was having problems catching his breath. Daniel asked the man if he was all right, the man replied that he was. By the time the bus operator reached Montreal Road, the man had passed out and had no pulse. Once Daniel and another passenger had the man lying on the floor of the bus, Daniel performed CPR. Thanks to his quick response he was able to restore a pulse while waiting for Ottawa Paramedic Service. Upon their arrival, paramedics used a defibrillator and were able to restore a stronger pulse and stabilized the heartbeat before transporting the gentleman to the hospital.  

Daniel Mann is just one of 12 Transit employees who were honoured for going above and beyond the call of duty to look out for the safety of the community, or using their buses to provide a safe haven to persons in distress.  

“The City is grateful of the efforts of Daniel Mann and all the OC Transpo employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to make our community a safer place to live work and play,” said Mayor Bob Chiarelli. “In many ways, OC Transpo employees act as the eyes and ears of our community. They are often the first to spot fires, accidents, or notice lost children or seniors. Their awareness and quick thinking often help emergency services arrive on the scene within minutes,” he added. 

Since the program’s inception in October 1989, OC Transpo employees have logged more than 7,460 TRANSECURE calls. Almost 403 calls were recorded in 2005. The TRANSECURE programs’ success is due to the employees who go out of their way to make Ottawa a safe and caring community.

For more information: