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Students rescued after bus driver allegedly falls asleep at wheel
Around forty elementary students were on board when the bus veered off the road
A group of elementary students had a narrow escape in California on Monday, 2 February, after their school bus veered off the road and ended up hanging over a creek.
The incident occurred around 7:25am near Sacramento's McClellan Airport, with approximately 30 to 40 children on board at the time.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the bus, belonging to the Robla School District, was found teetering on the edge of a waterway on Raley Boulevard.
Images from the scene showed the large yellow vehicle precariously balanced above several feet of water.
Police indicated that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, though an official cause is still being determined. The driver was transported to a local hospital after complaining of pain.
Remarkably, despite the dramatic nature of the crash, no children were hurt. "We’re grateful to report that all students were properly secured and were not injured," the CHP shared in a statement.
The youngsters were transferred to a replacement bus and taken to school, where parents were later able to collect them.
The CHP is using the frightful event to remind the public of the importance of school bus safety and driver alertness.
They noted that "this incident is a strong reminder of why school bus safety standards, seat positioning, and cautious driving around buses matter."
While the school district’s transportation department conducts its own investigation, the community is simply thankful that safety measures ensured every child returned home safely.