Video Shows DTA Bus Accident Victim Trying To Help

53-Year-Old Michael Mooney Being Called A Hero

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Tuesday, new information was released about the tragic DTA bus accident last week in downtown Duluth.

The Duluth Police Department released a statement saying during the time the bus was out of control, it was apparent by the reactions of the passengers on the bus that something was wrong with the driver.

Michael Mooney, the one fatality of the accident, was seen trying to help.

“Hearing that he is being recognized as a hero, it does make everybody have a smile on their face,” said Julie Thoreson, Mooney’s co-worker at Blackwoods.

“A hero” is how 53–year–old Michael Mooney is now being remembered by friends and family.

“Every day, every moment that goes by, we’re reminded about what he did,” Thoreson said.

Michael was the sole victim who lost his life in a tragic DTA bus accident in downtown Duluth last week.

“We still are shaking our heads, going, ‘How did this happen? Why did this have to happen to him?’” Thoreson admitted.

Tuesday, the Duluth Police Department said video from inside the bus shows Michael leaving his seat in the back of the bus, and rushing toward the driver in an apparent attempt to help him.

“If there’s anybody on that bus that would have helped anybody, it would have been him, you know, it would be him,” said Thoreson.

After hearing the news, Michael’s co–workers at Blackwoods say his actions were just a testament to the person he was.

“It really came as no surprise,” Thoreson admitted. “Happiness, happy that he is being recognized as a hero in such a tragic event.”

Before his loved ones gather Wednesday to celebrate his life, they can smile knowing he touched the lives of everyone who knew him.

“This is wonderful, other people are going to be able to really know that he was more than just that guy, he was a hero. He was more than just the fatality, he was bigger and larger than life,” Thoreson said.