A North Greene alum and Marine Corps veteran was the first to assist students and staff after a school bus rollover Wednesday in Illinois. He helped guide passengers to safety before emergency crews arrived, reported My Journal Courier.
Kendrick Ballard, 44, of Jerseyville, said via the news report that he was driving his 12-year-old stepson to White Hall Park when they came upon the crash scene.
“The bus was on its side, and I knew the kids needed assistance getting out there and out of there as quickly as possible,” the ex-Marine told local news.
According to the article, Ballard immediately pulled over and began helping students exit the bus and moved them away from the roadway. Video recorded by his stepson shows Ballard directing students to safety and assisting them as they exited through the rear doors.
Rollover Crash Could Have Been Far Worse
Eleven students and one staff member were reportedly injured in the rollover crash. Ballard said most of the injuries appeared minor.
“There were some kids with some scrapes, and they were bleeding a little bit, but from what I saw, most of them were just really shook up,” he continued.
Ballard said he was unaware his stepson had begun recording video until later. The footage was subsequently shared with local media by a community member, who praised the ex-Marine’s willingness to act.
Ballard credited first responders and school staff, emphasizing their quick response. “It was a bad situation, but the first responders were fantastic, and North Greene’s teachers and staff were fantastic, too,” he said.
The incident reportedly marks at least the second time Ballard has been recognized for assisting others in an emergency. In 2010, the Marine Corps veteran helped rescue a woman and her two children from a car trapped in floodwaters in Springfield.
“I would like to think it was a natural instinct to go and save someone who was in trouble,” Ballard said at the time.
Five Mississippi middle school students are praised as heroes after stopping a moving school bus when their driver lost consciousness during a medical emergency.
The incident happened the afternoon of April 22 in the Hancock County School District, when a bus driver transporting students suddenly became incapacitated while behind the wheel.
“This afternoon, during middle school dismissal, a bus driver on Bus #22 experienced a medical emergency,” the district said in a statement. “We are grateful to report that all students are safe and were transported home safely. Students acted quickly to help ensure the bus was safely brought to a stop and then contacted emergency services. We are proud of our students for staying calm and acting responsibly.”
The driver, 45-year-old Leah Taylor, told local news reporters that she suffered an asthma attack while driving her usual route and lost consciousness.
“I had a medical emergency, and the students stepped up,” she said.
Surveillance video released by the district shows a chaotic scene unfolding inside the bus as Taylor slumps over and the vehicle begins to drift. Students can be seen quickly reacting, coordinating efforts to regain control and prevent a potentially serious crash.
“She kind of, sort of, like, fell over, like flopped over, and everyone started standing up,” student McKenzy Finch told local news reporters, describing the moment the situation became clear. According to the students, the bus began veering off course and picking up speed. That’s when several of them sprang into action.
Students Seize Their Hero Moment
“I saw that the bus was veering off to the side, then I grabbed the wheel,” said Jackson Casnave, one of the students credited with helping steer the bus back under control.
At the same time, sixth grader Darrius Clark made his way to the front and stepped on the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a stop.
Other students focused on getting help and assisting the driver. Eighth grader Kayleigh Clark called 911 while fellow eighth grader Destiny Cornelius helped administer Taylor’s medication.
“I saw her medication in her hand, and I saw her reaching for it. I knew that’s what she needed,” Cornelius told reporters.
The coordinated response by the group of students ensured the safety of everyone on board. No injuries were reported among the students. Emergency responders arrived shortly after and aided Taylor, who is expected to fully recover.
School officials and community members have since praised the students for their composure and quick thinking under pressure, noting that their actions likely prevented a serious accident. The district emphasized the importance of the students’ teamwork and presence of mind during the emergency.
The New York State Police recognized three individuals for their swift and life-saving actions during a medical emergency involving a school bus driver earlier this year in Oneida County.
The state police said the emergency unfolded Jan. 5 in the Town of Verona at approximately 12:25 p.m., as a school bus traveled along State Route 365 near the intersection with State Route 31. During the route, the unidentified school bus operator xperienced a severe medical event, creating a dangerous situation for passengers onboard and other motorists.
Dina Johnson, an employee of First Student who was on the bus at the time of the incident, along with bus aide Kately Vasquez and passing motorist Stephen Dillon, were formally honored for their roles in responding to the incident.
Authorities said Johnson acted immediately, taking control of the moving bus and safely bringing it to a stop. Her actions prevented the vehicle from continuing uncontrolled and helped ensure the safety of those on board.
At the same time Vasquez, worked to assess the condition of the incapacitated driver and began coordinating an emergency response. Recognizing the urgency, Johnson flagged down Dillon, who was driving by and stopped to assist.
Dillon and Vasquez then worked together to perform life-saving measures on the bus driver while awaiting first responders. Johnson contacted 911 and remained actively involved in managing the situation until emergency medical personnel arrived and took over care.
State police said the coordinated efforts of Dillon, Vasquez and Johnson were critical in stabilizing the situation and preventing further harm.
Life-saving Trio Recognized for Rapid Response
In recognition of their life-saving actions, the trio were honored by Major Marc A. Barbera, commander of Troop D, along with Capt. Paul T. Kuropatwinski and Lt. Scott T. Kedenburg. Officials said their response demonstrated teamwork, composure, and a strong commitment to public safety.
While authorities did not release an update on the bus driver’s condition, they emphasized that the rapid response by those on scene played a key role in addressing the emergency.
Incidents involving medical emergencies behind the wheel can quickly escalate, particularly when they involve vehicles transporting students. State police noted that the actions taken by Dillon, Vasquez and Johnson highlight the importance of preparedness and quick decision-making in high-pressure situations.
State police said the recognition was intended to honor the individuals’ actions and to emphasize the importance of cooperation and awareness during emergencies. The ceremony concluded with commendations presented to Johnson, Vasquez, and Dillon, recognizing their efforts to protect others during a moment of crisis.
A parent is calling a kindergarten teacher a hero after he helped children escape a school bus following a crash April 2, near the Jacksonville Zoo, reported News 4 Jax.
Mandy Rubin spoke at a Duval County school board meeting, recounting the moments after a semi-truck rear-ended a bus carrying about 30 San Pablo elementary school students.
Rubin reportedly said teacher Franz Lerch helped keep her son calm and safely freed him from his seat in the chaotic aftermath of the crash.
“Mr. Lerch, in an extreme moment of crisis, was calm and collected, keeping my child calm while he worked to cut him loose from his seat,” Rubin said.
She urged district leaders to formally recognize Lerch, calling his actions selfless and courageous.
“He’s a hero in every sense of that word,” Rubin stated. “I also know that he would not single himself out. I know that any teacher would have acted similarly without thought for themselves. Because, to a public-school teacher, any child is their child.”
Student Injuries Could Have Been Worse Without Hero’s Actions
Her comments reportedly drew applause from those attending the meeting. Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier also addressed the crash during the meeting, acknowledging staff at San Pablo Elementary School. He recognized the school’s assistant principal for stepping in to help lead the campus while the principal went to the hospital following the incident.
Four children were reportedly injured and taken to the hospital, while a fifth person was also transported. Reported injuries include two broken legs, cuts to the head and chest pain. Officials have not released updates on the conditions of those injured.
According to the article, the semi-truck driver told police he saw the bus stopped at railroad tracks and attempted to brake, but said his brakes were not working. The driver reportedly swerved in an attempt to avoid the bus but was unable to prevent the collision.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing as families and school officials continue to recover from the incident.
Editor’s Note: The article states “cut the seats.” STN inferred the article is relating to seatbelts, especially as Florida law requires the lap restraints.
A school bus driver in Cape Cod town suffered a “life-threatening” medical emergency, causing a crash that sent the school bus carrying 26 students into a tree, reported CBS News.
The crash reportedly occurred April 13 at around 8:40 a.m. near an intersection n Mashpee, a town of about 15,000 people in Barnstable County.
Mashpee police said the school bus driver experienced an apparent medical episode while transporting students, ages 6 to 12, to school. The bus came to a stop after striking a tree on the side of the road. Photos from the scene showed a cracked windshield and front-end damage.
The bus driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with what was described as a life-threatening condition. Authorities did not release the bus driver’s name or provide further details about the medical emergency.
One student was transported to Falmouth Hospital as a precaution. No serious injuries among the children were reported. Mashpee Superintendent Michele Conners said via the article that the bus, identified as M11, was on route to Quashnet Intermediate School and Kenneth C. Coombs School at the time of the crash.
“We are very thankful that no students were seriously injured,” Conners said via the news report. “Our thoughts are with the driver, who has been a valued member of our transportation team, as she receives medical care. “Conners also thanked first responders for their swift actions.
School district representatives did not respond to a School Transportation News email asking for an update on the school bus driver’s condition.
School officials reportedly said counselors and support staff are being made available to assist students who may have been shaken by the incident. The Mashpee Police Department is investigating the crash. Authorities have not indicated whether any additional factors contributed to the incident beyond the reported medical emergency.
Emergency response is non-negotiable safety and security training for student transportation professionals as they are the first line of defense in active-threat situations that take place on the school bus.
The “Elements of School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training” four-hour seminar on Friday, July 10 at STN EXPO West conference will be organized into four distinct sections. It begins with the doctrine of in loco parentis, Latin for “in the place of a parent,” the legal term for assuming the responsibility of a child or minor. In this instance, in loco parentis ensures safety through threat recognition as well as understanding physiological stress responses.
The second part moves to de-escalation training and crisis response, explaining how to address behavioral or emotional triggers with appropriate communication techniques to defuse the situation before it becomes physical.
The third section covers behavioral intelligence. Attendees will learn to train their school bus drivers to recognize their unique placement of observation of student behavior patterns and be alert to areas of concern before an incident occurs.
Part four of the seminar will shed light on quick-threat response, including emergency communication, scenario-based security training and defensive physical intervention.
Attendees will leave the seminar with a realistic and actionable plan to equip their school bus drivers and other student transportation staff with following legal protocol, recognizing warning signs and communicating them before incidents occur, and forming a structured response to cases of violence onboard the school bus.
Meet the Instructors Teach Active-Threat Response
The seminar is presented School Transportation Active Threat Response Training, or S.T.A.R.T., a program created by veteran Ohio law enforcement officers to train student transportation professionals in the school bus environment to be prepared for emergency situations. The lead presenters will be Jim Levine, founder of S.T.A.R.T., and John Zippay, S.T.A.R.T. co-founder and current program coordinator, along with Kevin Spackman, a S.T.A.R.T senior instructor, and Greg Truhan, former U.S. Secret Service special agent, and S.T.A.R.T program developer and senior training instructor.
All four of the instructors have extensive experience in law enforcement. Levine began his career at the Arlington County Police Department in Virginia and since then has served as a S.W.A.T. instructor as well as a field training officer, co-founded a global security organization near Washington D.C., is certified in active-shooter response techniques as well as through the Ohio Crime Prevention Association in the concepts of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) and Crisis Intervention Training. Zippay currently serves as full-time police officer for the South Russell Police Department in Ohio alongside Spackman and is also a member of the Ohio School Resource Association and a certified Crisis Intervention Team member.
Save $100 on main conference registration with Early Bird Savings when you act by June 5. The STN EXPO West conference will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. Updates to agenda and speaker lists can be found at stnexpo.com/west.
Training school bus drivers to respond to inclement weather emergencies is a crucial part of student transportation safety training, but sometimes even the best training can’t fully prepare for the harsh reality of a real-life emergency situation.
Transportation Supervisor Kelly Bennett at Three Rivers Community Schools in Michigan confirmed for School Transportation News that this is how her team of bus drivers felt when a tornado suddenly appeared the afternoon March 6.
“On the day of the tornado, there was no indication that severe weather was approaching. No watches had been issued, and it seemed like a normal, beautiful day,” said Bennett.
Bennett shared that in-house training has led to Three Rivers school bus drivers practicing a variety of responses to emergency situations including inclement weather during Beginning Bus Driver School.
A local news outlet reported that the tornado was severe enough to down trees and rip roofs off buildings. Superintendent Nikki Nash shared a letter on social media March 8 saying that the “rapid and severe” weather emergency struck at the “most challenging time possible: During afternoon dismissal.” With many school buses already on the road transporting students home, it was crucial to act quickly.
Bennett explained that when the tornado warning sirens sounded, most bus drivers did not hear them because they were on routes, but the transportation office staff were alerted on their phones and through the radio. Dispatch then contacted the drivers immediately and directed the buses to re-route to safe locations at the nearest school building.
According to the local news report, within 10 minutes all students were accounted for.
Both Bennett and Nash commended the district’s school bus drivers for their quick response to the inclement weather emergency (Photo courtesy of Kelly Bennett)
Nash thanked the drivers and staff for their heroic actions and tornado response. “While we recognize that these emergency protocols caused significant delays and inconveniences for many of you, the safety of our students and staff is our absolute top priority,” she said. “I want to thank our students for their bravery, our staff for their quickly thinking and you- our families- for your patience and cooperation as we worked to ensure every child was out of harm’s way.”
Unfortunately, the district’s new transportation building that houses the district’s 20 buses “took a direct hit,” as the tornado passed through. Nash shared in her statement that they “lost the garage roof with several damaged vehicles, including buses in the parking lot.”
Bennett said that the damage was confined to the garage and did not impact the office, so transportation staff that were onsite during the tornado were unharmed.
“Due to the extent of the damage, we are unable to operate from that facility,” said Bennett. “In the meantime, we have returned to our old building, where the mechanic is handling repairs, and the office staff is now working out of the middle school. Although the transition has been challenging, we are continuing to adapt and make it work. Once the garage is secured, we will be able to return to operating out of the office.”
Tornado Response Hinges on Adequate Training
Bennett shared that her advice to other transportation directors “is that there is never such a thing as too much training, especially when it comes to safety.”
She continued that it’s imperative to make this safety training a priority, regularly review procedures during department meetings and investing in additional training opportunities beyond in-house resources.
“Our drivers are trained to prioritize safety above all else when transporting students. In emergency situations, I expect them to remain calm and maintain control, as their response will influence how everyone on the bus reacts,” said Bennett, adding that she emphasizes another facet of school bus safety, “clear and concise communication over the radio.”
She advised “keeping messages brief and direct so others can quickly understand and respond,” which aides safety efforts for both the 16 drivers in the district and the 1,194 students they transport each day.
The local media report also shared that the community banded together for recovery and rebuilding efforts, and the bus drivers drove their normal routes on Monday following the tornado response to ensure that routes were safe for students to return to school.
“Our thoughts and prayers of support go out to everyone who was personally impacted by this event,” stated Nash. “We know that the cleanup process will take days and even weeks, but our strength remains unshaken.”
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