Bus Driver Sees Fragile Elderly Lady Can’t Tie Laces Herself, Stops the Bus to Tie Them for Her

In a world where we can be anything, choosing kindness is not only a wise pick but also profoundly rewarding. Nothing done out of the goodness of our hearts goes unnoticed, and the same was true for one bus driver's sweet gesture for a passenger caught on camera.

Nishan Panwar once said, "The world is full of nice people. If you can't find one, be one." In early 2016, a customer turned to an Irish transport company's Facebook page and narrated an incident that she had witnessed firsthand, which left a lasting impression on her mind and heart.

Clara Ní Bhriain also related the heartwarming account on her social media profile, which received an overwhelming response from people far and wide and became a viral sensation. Brace yourselves as we take you through the complete story.

The Watchful Bus Driver

While taking the 205 bus from CIT to Kent Station, Clara saw an older lady get off the bus as soon as it stopped. However, in doing so, she said the woman tripped off something and was about to fall. Noticing her uneasiness, someone tried to intervene, and it was none other than the bus driver.

He said he always helped his mother put on her socks and shoes, and it only came naturally to him.

Clara said the driver saw that the senior citizen's shoelaces were untied and even "stalled the bus" to bring it to her attention. The lady replied that she was aware of it, and that was when it occurred to him that there was a valid reason why she didn't do anything about it.

He Went Out of His Way to Help the Lady

Although the bus driver could have left the woman alone and driven the bus, he decided to get down and extend a helping hand. Seeing that she wasn't feeling steady enough to bend down and tie the laces, he sat down and tied them for her.

Unbeknownst to the older woman and the driver, the beautiful moment was caught on camera by Clara and probably witnessed by several other passengers on the bus. The bus driver's sweet gesture deeply moved her, and she decided to share her feedback with Bus Éireann.

Praise for the Kind Driver

Clara commended the attentive driver for being kind and considerate and going the extra mile to care for his customer. She said the heart-melting incident brightened her day and restored her faith in humanity. The Irish customer also wrote:

"I haven't seen someone do something so kind in as long as I can remember and the lady was so appreciative she blew a kiss as the bus was pulling away."

Identifying the Driver

According to Independent Irish News and Metro, Clara's Facebook post from January 20, 2016, gained traction and was spotted by the driver's sisters, Noreen Hurley and a woman who goes by the name of Martina's Os on Facebook. They identified him as William Harris and noted that he was raised to be kind and respectful to others, especially older people.

"That's my brother!! William Harris. [My] mother [brought] us up to respect others around! So proud [William]!! [Kind-hearted] man," wrote Martina under Clara's post. Her comment received over 1k reactions, and several netizens hailed her brother's kind gesture and their good parenting.

The Bus Driver's Reaction

Meanwhile, William, a resident from the northside of Cork, was oblivious that he was all over social media for his kind-heartedness until his wife, Frieda, called and revealed everything. Even then, he was bewildered by the overwhelming response to what he believed was a small gesture.

William noted that the elderly lady suffered from arthritis, and there was nothing extraordinary or praiseworthy in helping her tie her laces. He said he always helped his mother put on her socks and shoes, and it only came naturally to him.

When Bus Éireann learned that one of their employees had gone viral for his kindness, they were proud and called William a dedicated and modest person. The transport company explained that their drivers were committed to providing the best service to customers and would continue doing so in the future.

The Online Reaction

Many netizens were touched by the bus driver's heartwarming gesture and couldn't help but flood the comment section with messages of appreciation, praise, and support:

"I love this story! And I love the fact that the lady writing it took the time to acknowledge him. Two truly kind people."

— (@caroline.graham.75) January 21, 2016

"I've always been amazed by the Cork bus drivers' kindness! Once I was very sick and nearly to faint on the bus, I asked the bus driver to stop and let me out, he did it but then waited for me and made me sit next to him to drive me home, and he made sure I could come home safely. Don't know his name but will always be grateful!"

— (@arizona.torres.71) January 21, 2016

"What an absolute gent! !! I bet he has no idea how much of an impact he has made. I imagine this lady often sits at home in the evening with a cuppa and smiles, her heart filled with gratitude through his kindness. In my opinion, this man is a rare breed. Well done William and thank you."

— (@) January 21, 2016

"From an Irish women away from home in Italy it melts my heart to hear of such acts of kindness at 'home'. Well done to both the kind bus driver and the beautiful spirits granny blowing kisses in thanks (sic)."

— (@katie.cardile) January 21, 2016

"That's what life is all about. Being kind and considerate to others. Small things like this make me smile as not enough of it around nowadays. X. We will all be old one day and will want someone to look out for us (sic)."

— (@elainescottie) January 21, 2016

Undoubtedly, such positive stories rekindle hope and inspire others to engage in acts of kindness. If you enjoyed reading this article, please share your feedback on Facebook.

Click here to read another story about a quick-thinking Texas bus driver who used seat belts to save siblings from the Dallas flood.