RIPTA Driver Credited With Helping Man Poised To Jump Off Bridge

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island Public Transit Authority driver was commended for coming to the aid of a man in distress on the Henderson Bridge in East Providence. Eldora "Ellie" Giblin was issued a commendation by the organization's board of directors.

RIPTA said that Giblin showed "exemplary compassion and selflessness" when, on April 3, she pulled over her Route 33 bus after seeing a man with one leg over the rail of the bridge. Giblin said she was nervous, but felt she had to take action since no one else who had pulled over tried to talk to the man.

"People just had their phones out and were taking pictures or video — it broke my heart," she said. "I told my passengers not to worry and that I would be right back."

Giblin said she called out to the man, asking him to get on the bus. When he didn't respond, she started to walk towards him, asking to "please come to me."

The man, who did not move, responded that "no one cares," Giblin said. After assuring him that she cared, Giblin encouraged the man to join her during her break at a nearby Shaw's in East Providence.

After a few minutes, the man pulled his leg back over the railing and gave her a hug. He then said he wanted to go home, and walked towards his car. Giblin told RIPTA officials that she asked the man to say he would not hurt himself, and tried to get him to stay until emergency responders arrived.

"I made him pinky swear," she said, adding that she seals promises this way with her children.

As the man drove away, Giblin wrote down his license plate number and radioed RIPTA dispatch to contact first responders.

Back on the bus, the passengers started to clap.

"She said doesn’t think she did anything special and that she had just tried to do the right thing," RIPTA said.

Giblin was honored Wednesday, and also received citations from Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

"To say that she went above and beyond is an understatement," said RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian. "Ellie is a reminder that there are many good people in the world and that acts of kindness can make a huge difference. We are so proud that she is a RIPTA employee."