NYC heroes lift bus off pregnant woman; baby lives

NYC heroes lift bus off pregnant woman; baby lives
By VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press Writer

Friday, August 15, 2008


(08-15) 14:59 PDT New York (AP) --

Dozens of strangers converged from all directions to lift a 5-ton bus off the body of a pregnant woman Friday — a superhuman effort that managed to save the life of her child but was too late for her.


Seven months pregnant, Donnette Sanz was crossing one of the busiest intersections in the Bronx on her lunch break when she was struck by a van whose brakes failed. The impact sent the 33-year-old NYPD traffic agent flying into the path of a yellow school bus and pinned her underneath.

About 30 people helped lift the bus, and Sanz was rushed to a hospital, where doctors delivered her boy by Caesarean section. The 3-pound, 6-ounce infant, named Sean Michael, was in critical condition Friday but showing signs of improvement.

"This is such an unbelievable tragedy that took place; it took away one of our own," said James Huntley, president of the union that represents traffic agents. "But I'm so thankful to the city of New York and to the citizens who came to her aid, like real heroes out of a comic book."

Mourners and neighborhood residents gathered outside the hospital to pray for Sanz and her child.
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