Bus driver hailed a hero for steering passengers to safety after getting shot

A bus driver is being called a hero after officials say he moved passengers to safety after being shot on chest twice Wednesday in North Seattle.

The driver, identified by officials as 53-year-old Eric Stark, was shot while driving a route 75 bus Wednesday afternoon.

A Seattle bus driver wounded by a gunman says he thought, 'I've gotta get these people out of here.' Then he steered his passengers to safety. https://t.co/1M3TY9Pduy

— AP West Region (@APWestRegion) March 28, 2019

Police say a gunman opened fire on the southbound bus after shooting a 56-year-old woman who was also driving in the area of in the area of Sand Point Way NE and Bartlett Avenue. 

'Just glad to be alive': Wounded bus driver in Seattle hailed as hero for saving lives in shooting https://t.co/8qw3b7LHf4

— 13WHAM (@13WHAM) March 28, 2019

She and Stark were both hospitalized and were in satisfactory condition as of Wednesday evening.

Authorities say Stark was able to move the bus to a safe location after being shot.  In a press conference Wednesday evening, city officials hailed his actions as heroic.

Seattle Deputy Police Chief Marc Garth Green called the shootings a “random, senseless act,” adding,  “We’re outraged at what this suspect did.”

Seattle Police are still investigating the possible motive of the shooter.