Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Help The Bus Driver Who Caught Falling Girl In His Arms
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 6, 2012
Modified Sep 7, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 6, 2012
Modified Sep 7, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Heroic bus driver Stephen St. Bernard, who saved a little girl's life when he caught her upon her fall from three flights up, is now in need of help himself. The city bus driver was walking home to his Coney Island apartment in July when he spotted the 7-year-old standing on top of an air conditioning unit three stories up. He stood under the window and caught her in his arms when she eventually fell. The heroic act was all caught on video:
Now an Indiegogo campaign has launched, offering "a helping hand to Steven St. Bernard who put himself on the line to save 7-year-old Keyla McCree." St. Bernard was injured during the incident and told Brooklyn Paper, "'I'm struggling to keep my apartment after injury'... the Metropolitan Transportation Authority nearly derailed his health insurance, leaving him scrambling to provide for his family on measly disability payments." St. Bernard—who shredded his arm tendon and needs extensive procedures—says he is also "in jeopardy of losing his benefits because he was off the clock" when he rescued McCree.
The person who launched the campaign, after being questioned about the fundraising, posted on Reddit today, "I'm not affiliated to Steven [sic], just trying to help. I am going to try get in contact with him today, heading to Coney Island to see if I can try and make a video with him to verify. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know."
If you have faith that the guy behind the fundraising is for real (which will hopefully be verified soon), then like Karen Klein before him, let's all help out! The goal is set at a modest $6,000.
UPDATE: The MTA tells us that “Stephen St. Bernard is a hero, and the MTA has treated him as one ever since he saved a little girl’s life. Contrary to the Brooklyn Paper’s wholly inaccurate report, Mr. St. Bernard’s health benefits were NEVER in danger of being cut off—and they never will be. The MTA is in constant contact with Mr. St. Bernard and his family during his period of short-term disability as he heals from his injury, and we look forward to welcoming him back to work as soon as he is able.”
Tagged
bus driver
campaign
coney island
Keyla McCree
money
Stephen St. Bernard
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .