 METRO Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia presents bus operator Paul Nelson with Certificate of Recognition. Jay Evans with the Houston Fire Department also saluted Nelson for his actions.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris
County(METRO) Board members today recognized the heroic actions of bus operator
Paul Nelson who raced towards a burning home and rescued an injured man. METRO Board members honored Nelson with a Certificate of Recognition proclaiming Nelson "a true METRO hero."
On July 31, 2015, Nelson was driving his route
in the Heights area when he noticed smoke pouring from a home and a woman screaming for
help. Nelson parked his bus, asked
passengers if he could help and then jumped into action, carrying a seriously injured man from the home to safety. Nelson then ran back to the home
to see if anyone else needed assistance.
It was at this point Nelson suffered burns to his hand and neck
and had to be doused with water by a bystander.
Nelson has said he does not consider himself a
hero. But to Nelson's wife, his
METRO family and the community as a whole, he is a living example of heroism
and selflessness.
"This is wonderful, because you could only have imagined what would have happened had he not been quick to respond, quick to action and brave," said METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia. "The METRO Board extends our heartfelt thanks for his courage and representing the best in METRO employees."
 METRO bus operators honored for saving the life of a coworker. (from left to right) Darrell Willis, Christopher White, Harriet Orville and Danita Jarver
METRO Board members also recognized several employees whose lifesaving actions saved a coworker. On Aug. 10, 2015 a Hiram Clark bus operator walked into the Hiram Clark facility, went into distress and collapsed. Harriet Orville was the first person to see the emergency and notified others. Orville and Danita Jarver, Kevin Wyatt and Darrell Willis began CPR. James Jordan called 911, while Christopher White effectively operated the automated external defibrillator until EMS arrived.
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