Bus Driver Rescues 22 Children From California Wildfire By Rushing Them In Bus

Nov 23, 2018 by apost team

Bus drivers are trained to deal with a variety of emergency situations. This training usually focuses on dealing with fights or procedures to take after a traffic accident.

However, little could be done to prepare a bus driver for the situation faced by Kevin McKay.

The majority of students had already been taken away from their elementary school in Paradise, California. The children were evacuated from the school because of raging wildfires in the area. The situation became drastic when 22 students remained at the school despite the raging fires that moved closer.

McKay says the fires are unlike anything he has ever seen before. He had already made sure his family was safe. He was now available to concentrate on the children at the school. McKay and two teachers loaded the school bus with the 22 children after a brief discussion with the school principal.

McKay said the air was filled with smoke and patches of fire were 'everywhere' as the bus drove away from the school.

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Mary Ludwig was one of the two teachers serving on the rescue mission with McKay. Ludwig says that the menacing sky terrified her. She described the scene as armageddon-like.

There were many other cars on the road filled with people looking to escape the wildfire. The traffic congestion forced the bus to idle on many occasions in areas filled with smoke.

The students began to be affected by the smoke and the adults wondered if maybe they should leave the bus behind and walk toward safety. The problem was made worse by the fact that only one bottle of water was on the bus.

The decision was made to stay on the bus. McKay had an extra shirt that was torn into pieces and dampened with water. A piece of the shirt was given to eath students. They placed the damp clothes over their noses in an effort to filter the smoke and allow them to breathe easier.

Ten-year-old Charlotte Merz said that fires were seen everywhere she looked.

The bus was struck once by another vehicle but continued on its path. At one point, they even picked up a woman that was stranded on the road.

The children and adults prayed, discussed safety procedures, gathered information to contact parents. Five hours later, the bus was safely away from the wildfires.

McKay's efforts were greatly appreciated by the parents of the 22 students as well as the husband of the stranded woman. One of them commented that McKay was truly sent from heaven.

Did you appreciate the efforts of the bus driver and two teachers? Do you consider them heroes? Let us know in the comments. Send this article to everyone on your friend's list. They will surely be inspired by the show of heroism.