A morning scare on the bus: the driver passes out at the wheel. It is only thanks to the presence of mind of the only passenger that the whole story ended without any serious consequences.

The whole thing happened a few weeks ago on a December day at 4.30 in the morning. As usual, butcher's apprentice Erick Bloßfeld was travelling on the night express (NE 14) in Gelsenkirchen when he suddenly heard a scream coming from the driver's cab. "I immediately ran to the driver, but he was already unresponsive," says the 22-year-old, describing what had happened. At the same time, he realised that the bus was continuing to roll.

Not a second's hesitation
As the driver's cab could not be opened from the outside, Erick was unable to reach the brake pedal. However, he was able to reach the steering wheel through a hatch. The 22-year-old took a firm grip on the steering wheel and manoeuvred the bus into a side street. At the same time, he dialled 110 on his smartphone with his other hand and made an emergency call.

Although the police were unable to tell the brave young man how to open the cab, they immediately dispatched several patrol cars.

"Just before the road turned downhill, I managed to steer the bus into a side street. A police car overtook us there, got in front of us and slowed the bus down with a deliberate collision," recalls the Venezuelan-born driver.

The bus driver suffered an internal emergency and had to be resuscitated, but fortunately survived. "He's a nice guy, I've travelled with him many times," said the brave rescuer, who then arrived at his workplace at the Freidank REWE supermarket in Dortmund-Mengede an hour late. He has been training as a butcher there for two years.

Proud of his apprentice Erick Bloßfeld: Jan Gebel, Managing Director of REWE Freidank His boss, REWE merchant Jan Gebel, is proud of his courageous apprentice and full of praise: "It's fun to work with Erick. He puts his heart and soul into his work."

Turning his hobby into a profession: apprentice butcher Erick Bloßfeld. one: Erick, you came to Germany from Venezuela four years ago. Why did you decide to train as a butcher?

Erick Bloßfeld : I had already got to know the work in Venezuela, where I helped out in my uncle's butcher's shop. That was fun, and I discovered my passion for cooking and barbecuing. In Germany, I first had to learn the language. My grandfather is from here, he emigrated to South America many years ago. But my mother tongue is Spanish, as I'm third generation. But I'm doing quite well now.

one: How did you come to REWE Freidank?

Erick: I first completed an internship at Freidank in Gelsenkirchen and realised that this work suited me. Then Mr Handt (master butcher at REWE Freidank, editor's note) offered me an apprenticeship. My training company is the branch in Dortmund-Mengede.

one: Even though you don't have to cut up half cattle in this profession these days, the job is still physically challenging and you often have to get up early.is there anything you particularly enjoy doing?

Erick : I enjoy setting up the hot counter and processing and refining beef the most. There is a good working atmosphere at REWE Freidank. I get on very well with my foreman and the managing directors, Mr Gebel.