Los Angeles

Jail Employee Honored by Passengers He Saved From Burning Bus

A Los Angeles county jail employee who saved 42 passengers from a burning charter bus earlier this month in Hacienda Heights was honored on Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a press release.

Custody Assistant Jesse Hernandez was personally thanked in a formal gathering at the Langley Senior Center in Monterey Park.

Cindy Fang, who was on the bus, joined other passengers to present a plaque to Hernandez.

Hernandez was on his way to work around 8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 when he noticed a burning charter bus blocking two lanes of the westbound 60 Freeway near Hacienda Heights.

Hernandez stopped his vehicle, approached the flaming bus and noticed the passengers were trapped inside the bus, frantically hitting and kicking the exit door, officials said in a press release.

Hernandez forced the door open and all the passengers were able to escape.

No one was seriously injured.

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