Boy saves bus driver's life

Norwich, Conn. (WTNH) - A 13-year-old boy from Norwich is being called a hero for something he did on the way to school.

When Noah Drayton climbed on board his school bus earlier this month he could see that there was something wrong with his bus driver. Despite protests from the driver that he was okay Noah persisted, and it really paid off.

"I said Mr. Steve are you okay," Noah recalled. "'Noah I"m fine, I'm getting better.' Mr. Steve are you okay? 'Noah I am fine, I am getting better., but I said to myself in my head I was like if you're getting so much better than why are you coughing so much worse."

"Annoyed is a good word and he knew it," said bus driver Steve Kimball, "and that's why he got off the bus because he knew I wouldn't put up with him trying to call someone."

When the bus stopped at a nearby school Noah got off and called his mother, who then had his father call the First Student bus company. One driver was sent to relieve Kimball, while another brought him to the hospital.

"I got to give my mom and dad a lot of credit here because they were the ones," Noah said, "they were the go-to-person in the middle to call the bus company because I didn't have the number, so thank you guys."

As it turned out Kimball was having a heart attack and had to be airlifted to Yale-New Haven Hospital for emergency surgery.

When Noah found out he said, "I had a rush through my stomach like you know when you go on those things at roller coaster parks, they drop down and you get that tickle in your stomach? I got one of those, but it was much worse."

"Noah ended up being God's miracle for me," Kimball said. "He literally saved my life."

"It makes me feel good," Noah said, "but I just did what I thought was the right thing to do."

"We're proud of him, and most 13-year-olds are not thinking of anyone but themselves," said Sabryna Drayton, Noah's mom. "Just shows me that we're in good hands."

Kimball says he plans to be back behind the wheel of his bus sometime next month, after he gets a clean bill of health from his doctor and recovers fully. It will certainly be an exciting reunion for Kimball and Noah.