Hero???

[sp1814]

In more than one news outlet, the Putney bus driver (the one who avoided driving over the woman who had been pushed over by the jogger) is described as 'a hero'.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/catch-putney-pusher-hero-bus-driver-urges-as-lengthy-police-hunt-for-suspect-continues-a3631251.html

I think the word is wrong here. 'Quick-thinking' yes, 'hero' no.

What do you think?

[New Judge]

"So we only have 2 options either be a hero or run her over and be a disgrace."

No Prudie, there is a third: drive as a reasonably vigilant and careful driver would and do your best to avoid unexpected hazards. Nothing heroic about it. Many drivers (I nearly said "most", but I'm not quite sure about that) do it all the time. The bus driver hit the headlines because (s)he avoided a very nasty incident which could have resulted in death or serious injury. But no more heroic than had (s)he swerved to avoid a pothole.

[Prudie]

Well NJ that is exactly what I meant. The third option is what we would all mainly do, nothing heroic about it all.

[Peter Pedant]

// Well NJ that is exactly what I meant. The third option is what we would all mainly do, nothing heroic about it.//

O god I love you all - some one does a thing damn well and you say like misses piggy 'o! he was paid to do that !"

as with the heroes of Manchester
o so what! they were paid to do that !

read the transcripts of the 2005 inquiry into the London bombs
where the Br Transport Police say they were paid to lock themselves into their headquarters
and the fire brigades refused to go into the tube tunnels ( too dangerous there may be gas bombs)
and when the whistles blew to abandon victims ( later denied ) the injured screamed to the other passengers ( no first responders too afrit) dont leave me I am going to die

there are times ABer are so full of fine thoughts
and nothing else
it makes me sick to read them

[pixie374]

He isn’t a hero- he did exactly what anyone would have done in that situation. He did react well though.

[New Judge]

I think you seem to have lost the plot here somewhat, Peter.

Nobody here has denied that people "doing their job" from time to time act in heroic ways. What most of us seem to be saying is that a bus driver who swerved to avoid somebody who had been pushed in front of his bus does not fit the bill. Most people portrayed as heroes are very often doing their job. But not everybody doing their job can necessarily be seen as a hero.

[Peter Pedant]

// I think you seem to have lost the plot here somewhat, Peter. //

thank you and you will also understand by a similar argument why I think the other posters such as yourself seem to have lost the plot

[mutatis mutandis etc as the Romans used to say but perhaps a Latin tag too far]

[New Judge]

"...and you will also understand by a similar argument why I think the other posters such as yourself seem to have lost the plot"

No I don't understand. I don't think I have lost the plot at all. But no matter.

[davegosling]

Agree with pixie et al.

The same thing happened to me years ago as I was driving down the Archway Road in London. A woman in far too high heels stumbled and actually fell into the road in front of me. I didn't think I could have stopped in time even if I'd jammed the anchors on, so I swerved round her. She got up and I continued driving.

I'm no hero!

[Prudie]

And I haven't lost the plot either, he swerved last minute as a reflex action. I would have done the same even if it was a bird or even a Mcdonalds box someone had chucked out the window. No connection with what emergency services do in a crisis.