News Beat
Bury driver praised for stopping bus to help distressed baby
Amber Rashid Malik was driving through Ramsbottom on Sunday (December 8) when he saw one-year-old Jack “crying his eyes out” while travelling with his mum, Amy Crook.
The pair were already on their way to the hospital after being told an ambulance could take ‘seven to eight hours’.
Amy had called 999 at around 3pm but became increasingly panicked as Jack’s condition worsened.
While on the bus, baby Jack was “constantly screaming”, so Mr Malik pulled over, reassured her, and told passengers, “This bus isn’t going anywhere because of the little boy”, before calling an ambulance himself.
Paramedics arrived quickly because the bus driver’s call meant they were given priority.
Lindsey Isherwood, Jack’s grandmother, described Amber as “kind and supportive” and said he “deserved recognition” for stepping in.
She added: “Thanks to [Mr Malik], he got the right treatment. Honestly, I can’t thank him enough for helping my family.”
Paramedics arrived in less than an hour, and Jack was taken to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed infections in both ears and bronchitis, Lindsey said.
Mr Malik said he was “just doing his job” and that his actions were what “any human would do”.
Lindsey has arranged to meet him on Monday to thank him in person.
She also shared a Facebook post praising him, saying: “This man Amber Malik is a wonderful, kind man. We need more people like him in this world.”
In a statement, North West Ambulance Service said: “When we give estimated times for arrival to non-life-threatening incidents, we often find it gives patients and their families the reassurance they need to decide to make their own way to the hospital, where they likely receive definitive care faster.
“However, we always urge people to call us back if their symptoms worsen.
“We’re pleased to hear that Jack got the care that he needed and hope he makes a quick and full recovery.”
