A heroic bus driver in Italy was able to bring 25 school children to safety moments before the vehicle became engulfed in flames, BBC News reports.
The man, whose identity has not been revealed, had been driving teenagers aged between 14 and 16 to a summer camp when the bus started burning while in a tunnel approximately 50 miles north of Milan.
Soon enough, the emergency services were called and teams of firefighters from the Lecco and Bellano provinces in Lombardy were able to extinguish the flames.
The fire department later released harrowing footage of the incident in which smoke can be seen coming out of the tunnel and billowing around the other vehicles.
As a precaution, due to their inhalation of the smoke, seven children were taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment.
According to Lecco Notizie, Alessandro Fermi, president of the Regional Council, said of the unnamed bus driver:
"By saving 25 boys from the Lipomo oratory, he became the protagonist of a heroic act.
"I will have the pleasure of having him as a guest in one of the next meetings of the Regional Council to personally testify to him the gratitude of the Lombard institution and give him due recognition."
Several firefighter teams arrived at the scene after the alarm was raised at about 10 AM local time on Tuesday, July 13.
One of the firefighters told an Italian outlet Adnkronos that it's possible the fire was started as a result of a burst tire.
Amid the chaos, roads were closed so that rescue operations could get underway on State Road 36 - the main route that connects Lecco to the Valtellina valley. The authorities have since shared their gratitude to the Bellano and Lecco Fire Brigades who worked tirelessly to put the flames out.
On social media, a number of people praised the bus driver for his quick thinking, which ultimately saved the lives of 25 youngsters.
One wrote: "Awesome! Good looking out!"
Another said: "Bravo!" alongside the clapping hands emoji.
And the praise just kept rolling in, with yet another commenter writing: "Very brave man. Deserves a medal."
A different person shared: "Guy is a hero, deserves tea and medals."
Meanwhile, a final person commented: "A very brave man! Definitely a hero!"
