Ocean City Honors Driver, Students Involved in GSP Bus Fire

The driver and the students from Ocean City Intermediate School who were able to exit the school bus that caught fire on the Garden State Parkway on April 17 were commended for their fast thinking at the Ocean City Board of Education meeting on Thursday night.

Students, Driver Escaped Raging Bus Fire

A school bus from the Sheppard Bus Service carrying ten students from Ocean City Intermediate School back home to Sea Isle City after school caught fire on the Garden State Parkway at about 2:30 pm on Wednesday, April 17th.

The driver, identified only as Miss Linda, quickly ushered the students quickly off the bus as it began to burn on the side of the highway.

One student called 911 to report the blaze.

In all, everyone aboard kept their composure and did exactly what they needed to do to exit the bus safely and move a safe distance away from the burning wreckage.

Students and Driver Were Commended By The Ocean City BOE

According to OCNJ Daily, members of the Ocean City Board of Education took time to recognize the students and the driver, none of whom were in attendance at the meeting, acknowledging that they showed "courage and bravery" that day.

BOE President Kevin Barnes said, " We have some heroes to talk to tonight and recognize tonight. I think they handled themselves very well."

Bus driver Miss Linda has asked not to be identified by her full name. There is no question, though, that she acted like a hero that day, telling the State Police later at the scene, "These are my kids, too."

Those ten students, most not even in their teens yet, acted with maturity beyond their years and safely survived a near-tragic event they will remember for the rest of their lives.

School Business Administrator says the Students "Shined"

Tim Kelley, the school business administrator, who went to the scene of the bus fire that day, talked about how well the students reacted to the situation, according to OCNJ Daily.

"Our students really shined. They rose to the occasion in an emergency. They acted calmly. They listened to direction and some took leadership roles and really proved what great students they are."