SEALY, Texas – Students and staff at the Sealy Independent School District are mourning the loss of a school bus driver who died suddenly while driving his children home Thursday.

Some of the students jumped into action when Gerald Gardner suddenly collapsed behind the wheel.

Gardner had just taken the pilots from Sealy Junior High School and was coming off the road from school on Highway 90 when he lost consciousness.

The bus rolled on the road until Sealy High School and Sealy Junior High School students quickly took control of the bus and shut it down.

"Once they took the bus, they killed the engine," said Sealy ISD deputy director Doug Young. "One of the other high school students in the back evacuated the students from the bus, as they were trained to do.

Three good Samaritans saw what happened and took Gardner from the bus.

They practiced CPR until the arrival of the Sealy Fire Department and an ambulance.

Even though the first responders arrived within minutes, Gardner, 70, died on the scene.

"We are extremely grateful to Mr. Gardner for his years of service to Sealy ISD and our students. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are going to the Gardner family right now, "Sealy ISD said in a statement.

Students who acted are credited with rescuing their classmates from injuries.

"Our students should be commended for their prompt reflection and to remain calm during the evacuation," the statement said.

Gardner, who had been driving for the district for a few years, had recently undergone a physical exam.

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