SAND SPRINGS — On Dec. 3, a routine bus ride home from school turned into a moment of courage and compassion when 9-year-old Kane Lee stepped up during a medical emergency.
Sand Springs Public Schools Director of Communications, Lissa Chidester, said one of the district buses was delayed due to an unexpected medical event involving the driver. While the bus driver managed to safely pull over, a medical issue made it to where the driver was unable to speak. While this was happening, it was Kane who noticed a problem and acted in a way that got the driver the help that she needed and brought calm to a frightening situation.
“She had pulled over and couldn’t talk or anything,” said Kane’s father, Joe Lee. “Kane noticed something was wrong — that’s just his instinct — and he went up there to check on her.”
Joe said Kane then called 9-11 and was able to relay the bus’s GPS location to the dispatcher while simultaneously trying to keep crying students calm.
“He was giving them hugs,” Joe said. “He stayed calm the whole time and was talking to the police.”
The story later aired on local radio station K95, which praised Kane for acting “better than a lot of adults,” according to Joe.
Kane has lived in Sand Springs his entire life. His father describes him as an “old soul.”
“When you hear people say someone has an old soul, that’s Kane — he’s definitely an old man,” Joe said. “He cares about everybody. He’s a gentle giant. He’s bigger for his age, a heck of a football player, very respectful. We’re fortunate to have him.”
What happened came as no surprise to Joe who said Kane’s actions fit perfectly with his personality and that him and Kane’s mother could not help but feel proud.
“I don’t want to take anything away from him but it makes us very proud,” he said. “It reassures you that maybe you’re doing something right as a parent.”
Joe said district teachers were moved to tears after watching video of the incident. Kane’s composure was impressive throughout the incident, however, Joe said once the adrenaline wore off the experience began to sink in for the young hero.
“He told me, ‘They were asking me if she was turning blue and I was just like, I don’t know,’” Joe said. “I think the dispatcher kind of freaked him out, but he did great.”
Kane’s determination, his father says, is nothing new.
“At five years old he wanted a weed eater, a grill, and a chainsaw — and now he’s already using all of those,” Joe said with a laugh. “Sometimes you forget you’re talking to a kid.”
Chidester reported that safety protocols were followed and all students were safe throughout the situation with a replacement driver being dispatched quickly. Following the incident in a statement, district leaders thanked those involved for their swift actions and confirmed that parents were notified the same afternoon. Kane was recognized at school for his actions the Friday following the incident.
For the Lee family, the incident will be remembered not just as a scare but as a powerful example of how even the youngest members of a community can rise to the occasion.