Hampshire bus driver rescues missing three-year-old boy

Edyta Kozlowska was behind the wheel of the number 2 service passing through the St Cross neighbourhood on March 30 when she spotted the toddler alone, wandering through the tunnel between Ranelagh Road and Airlie Road.

The boy was seen jumping from the pavement onto the road and back again. Concerned for his safety, Edyta brought her bus to a stop.

Despite multiple vehicles passing by without stopping, Edyta, who has worked at Stagecoach South for five months, acted swiftly. A young woman on board, also alarmed, got off the bus and brought the child safely on board.

READ MORE: Stagecoach announce new Andover to Winchester service

The toddler was spotted jumping on and off the pavement near a bridge in the St Cross area of Winchester (Image: Google) Edyta, a mother of three boys aged 18, 14 and 8, said her instincts immediately kicked in: “I just kept thinking – what if he ran into the road or towards the rail tracks? Nobody else stopped. I was just happy I could help. If someone needs help, whether they’re three years old or eighty, you help. You never know what’s happened – they could be lost, they could have dementia – you just help.”

After getting the child on board, Edyta called the police straight away and then contacted the Winchester depot to report the situation and keep passengers informed. She also arranged for her passengers to board the next bus behind hers, keeping delays to a minimum.

Police arrived shortly after, confirming that the boy had been reported missing earlier that morning.

Mark Jackson, operations manager for Stagecoach South, praised Edyta’s calm response: “Edyta showed incredible presence of mind and care – not just for the child, but for our passengers as well. Her actions exemplify the very best of what it means to be part of the Stagecoach South team. We’re proud to have her representing us out on the road.”