A routine ride home from school last month quickly turned into a moment of heroism when a Sand Springs school bus made an unexpected stop after the driver experienced a medical emergency. Thanks to the quick-thinking of a 9-year-old student, help arrived promptly and all students remained safe, reported News on 6.

It was a normal school bus ride for fourth-grader Kane Lee was until he noticed something was wrong. After the bus driver pulled over, Kane walked to the front of the vehicle and immediately realized the driver was unable to speak and needed help.

“She couldn’t talk, and I could tell by her face and stuff that she needed me to call someone,” Kane told local news reporters. “So, I called 911.”

Despite feeling scared, Kane stayed by the driver’s side until emergency responders arrived. “I didn’t want her to, like, pass out when I went back to my seat,” he said.

Kane also reportedly helped manage the situation inside the bus, comforting younger, frightened students alarmed by the sudden stop.

“Little kids were scared, so I gave them hugs,” he said. “Some of my other friends was quieting people down.”

All the students were safe, and a replacement bus driver arrived to complete the route. While the district had not released details about the original bus driver’s condition at this report, officials said they notified parents about the incident and praised the students for their calm and responsible actions.

District leaders specifically commended Kane for his bravery and presence of mind during the emergency.

“I just felt good that I could help,” Kane told local news reporters.

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As winter settles over Oklahoma City, one school bus driver warms students one hand-knitted beanie at a time.

Tina Hutcherson, 63, drives for the Putnam City School District and has become a beloved figure among her students for a simple but heartfelt mission: Ensuring no child goes without a warm hat during the cold months. Her journey in student transportation began long before she ever picked up knitting needles.

She told School Transportation News that she started as a school bus driver in 2004. She had to take a small break in 2009 to care for her son but returned as a driver in 2013.

The idea of making hats came from what she witnessed each winter on her route.

“I know how cold it gets in Oklahoma, and I see some children who may not have coats, hats, etc., to keep them warm,” Hutcherson said, adding that a recent blanket giveaway inspired her to expand her efforts. “I didn’t want anyone to feel left out, so I decided to make all the students a stocking cap as well.”

Her process quickly became a collaboration with the very kids she serves. Instead of choosing colors herself, Hutcherson invites her students to design their own.

“I draw a picture of a hat and give it to the students to color over the weekend,” she said. “They bring it back to me, and I use their drawings as the design and color guide. Many of the students know exactly what colors they want.”

The project has grown far beyond her original plan.

“I’ve made about 50 or more hats so far,” she told STN. “When my middle schoolers heard about the elementary students getting hats, they asked for some too. So, I gave them hats right before Thanksgiving break.”

In addition to beanies for both elementary and middle schoolers, Hutcherson has also crocheted backpacks for students and hats for local military veterans.

The joy her students express makes every hour of work worth it.

“The kids get excited knowing they’re getting hats that morning,” she said. One student proudly wears his hat every day and makes sure Hutcherson sees it when he steps on the bus. She also received a stack of handmade thank-you cards from her elementary riders; gestures she treasures deeply.

More than warmth, Hutcherson said she hopes the children feel the intention behind each stitch.

“I hope they know I made it with love,” she said. That love, she believes, is what keeps her going. “I just love giving crochet and knitted projects to people who I feel need a little extra love. It’s my favorite hobby, and I love to put a smile on their faces!”.

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A 6-year-old boy was killed after being struck by an Oklahoma City Public Schools bus near his elementary campus, reported The Oklahoman News.

Authorities reportedly identified the child as Adrian Salgado, a first-grade student at Fillmore Elementary School. He died Dec. 4 at OU Health after being transported from the scene of the crash.

According to the news report, the incident occurred the previous day at 3:15 p.m., as Salgado and two friends were walking home from school. The children were heading east on the south side of SW 51st Street, when they approached Douglas Avenue. Investigators report that an OKCPS bus traveling in the same direction had stopped at a stop sign before attempting to turn south onto Douglas.

As the bus began its turn, two of the children stopped at the corner, but Salgado attempted to run across the street. The side of the bus struck him, knocking him to the ground, where he was run over by the rear wheels. Salgado was reportedly rushed to the Oklahoma University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

“Our thoughts are with the student’s family, loved ones, the first responders and our entire Fillmore community as we grieve this tremendous loss,” the district said via the report. OKCPS added that counselors and support staff will be available on campus to assist students and staff beginning Thursday.

The district also thanked first responders for their rapid actions and said it would work closely with law enforcement as the investigation continues.

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A school bus carrying members of a high school softball team overturned after striking a deer. Seven people were injured, including one adult in critical condition, reported AP News.

The crash reportedly occurred around 9 p.m. Sept. 8 on State Highway 152, roughly 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. The bus was on route back from a scheduled game at Riverside Indian School in Anadarko when it hit a deer and flipped, ejecting some passengers.

A total of 17 people were on board at the time of the crash. Among the injured, four students were listed in stable condition as of Tuesday morning. One adult passenger, who was ejected during the rollover, remained in critical condition, Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesperson Sarah Stewart confirmed via the article.

Initial reports stated eight people were injured, but the Ohio Highway Patrol revised the number to seven. “Some students were taken from the scene by their parents before emergency responders arrived,” said Lt. Mark Southall.

“The scene was cleared around midnight,” Southall noted, adding that an investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is working alongside the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the exact cause.

Minco School District Superintendent Kevin Sims said only the school bus driver’s seat with a seatbelt. He also announced that classes were canceled Tuesday in response to the incident.

According to the news report, the crash has shaken the small town of Minco, population about 1,500. Minco First Baptist Church opened its sanctuary the evening the crash, offering a space for prayer and support. U.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma expressed his condolences in a social media post, saying he and his wife, Cindy, “join all of Oklahoma in praying for our neighbors in Minco tonight.”

The softball team had reportedly been scheduled to play at Anadarko, about 35 miles southwest of Minco. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and have not released the names of those injured.

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TULSA, Okla. – Over the summer, as part of school start-up preparation and training, fourteen maintenance team members from Durham School Services and its sister brands, Petermann Bus and Stock Transportation, participated in IC Bus University’s annual three-day training sessions. The training sessions taught participants how to service various types of engines, transmissions, and a number of other vital bus components from different manufacturers and vendors. Representatives from each manufacturer led their respective trainings for each bus component.

Training topics included, but were not limited to:

Allison transmissions
Bendix Intellipark/Stability
Braun Ability wheelchair lift
Cummins diesel engines
Electric Buses
New DLB/SDS software training
Next Gen updates
Service Portal navigation

In addition to the training sessions, participants were also given the opportunity to tour IC Bus’s assembly plants for both their standard and electric school buses.

“It is important for our Company to ensure our team members are provided with opportunities to fine tune and enhance their skills. The annual IC Bus University Training is one example and timing-wise is a great segue and supplement to our own school start-up preparation,” said Regis Rock, Senior Manager of Talent Development, Durham School Services. “And most importantly, these training and development opportunities ensure that our technicians are continuously being equipped with the utmost knowledge and skills to keep our buses in top condition to transport students safely year-round. We are lucky that we have some of the most committed, ambitious team members who are constantly searching for training opportunities to refine and advance their skills and are glad to be able to support their development.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, for more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve

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