Luis Antonio Rodríguez Griñán had only one thought in mind as his bus hurtled down the treacherous curves of La Farola without brakes—his daughter. He clung to the steering wheel with determination, refusing to let danger win. On the afternoon of March 25, a National Buses Yutong that departed from Maisí heading to Havana lost its brakes on one of Cuba's most perilous roads. Thanks to this man's heroic efforts, everyone on board arrived safely, as reported by the state-run newspaper, Venceremos.
Without alarming the passengers, the young driver made a crucial decision: he wouldn't allow tragedy to prevail. "I faced one of the toughest challenges a driver can encounter—brakes not responding—but I had to keep going," Rodríguez recounted. "As it happened, all I could think of was my daughter, the love of my life."
During the descent, the bus gained speed dangerously. This brave 31-year-old from Puriales de Caujerí, San Antonio del Sur, stayed composed. He maneuvered the steering wheel, weaving to counteract gravity's pull and keep the bus from losing control. On one side, the mountain rose steeply; on the other, a sheer drop loomed ominously.
The silence in the driver's cabin stood in stark contrast to the mounting tension among the passengers, who soon realized something was amiss. The bus approached a sharp curve and nearly tipped over. Rodríguez exerted all his strength to straighten it and continued on.
Yet, the next curve was even more treacherous, and he knew he couldn't navigate it safely. He made a desperate but calculated decision: he steered right, crashing the Yutong into the mountainside. The bushes and vegetation slowed the bus to a halt. "If I had reached the next curve, I wouldn't be answering these questions today," he admitted.
Once the vehicle stopped, many passengers wept and rushed to embrace him; they were all alive. "Believe me, my friend, telling it is one thing, living it is another," he said. Images of the bus lodged in the underbrush quickly went viral on social media, with comments unanimously crediting the miracle to the driver's cool-headedness and responsibility, without causing panic.
Rodríguez never contemplated another profession. From childhood journeys to his hometown Puriales, he dreamed of being behind the wheel, inspired by the uniformed, well-presented drivers he admired. Today, he operates the longest national route for National Buses, from Havana to Maisí, and was among the first to complete this extended journey when the route was expanded to the Maisí capital.
Despite the fright, he insists he isn't afraid of the mountain: "Anyone who loves to drive relishes any challenge. Soon, I'll be back on the road from Havana to Maisí, back on the mountain if God allows it."
Rodríguez saved his passengers not for fame or medals, but for his daughter. It was his unwavering resolve that drives many Cubans to forge ahead, even when the path seems steep and out of control.
Courage and Heroism on La Farola
What prompted Luis Antonio Rodríguez to take such a risky decision?
Luis Antonio Rodríguez was driven by the thought of his daughter and the determination to protect his passengers, leading him to make a calculated decision to crash into the mountainside to stop the bus safely.
How did the passengers react when the bus finally stopped?
Once the bus came to a halt, many passengers wept and rushed to embrace Luis Antonio Rodríguez, grateful for their safety and his bravery.
What does Rodríguez's experience say about the spirit of Cuban drivers?
Rodríguez's experience highlights the courage and determination of Cuban drivers, who often face challenging conditions yet remain committed to the safety of their passengers.