Principal
of a US primary school was seen pushing several students out of the way of an
oncoming bus before the vehicle fatally struck her to death as confirmed by
authorities on Tuesday.
The principal of Amy Beverland Elementary School (Susan Jordan) of
Indianapolis, Indiana, was killed and two 10-year-old
children hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries
when the bus suddenly lurched forward towards the students.
Buses were lined up outside the school when the accident happened about
2.45pm.
“At some point, the stationary bus lurched forward and jumped the kerb.
The bus was not moving at the time directly before it jumped the kerb,” said
Reith the bus driver while stating that she was not sure what caused the
bus to accelerate.
The driver also said “in the instant that the accident occurred”, she
saw Jordan push several students out of the way, according to the
statement.
The driver and 25 students on the bus were examined by emergency
responders but did not require treatment.
Jordan, who had been principal of the school for 22 years, was loved by
her staff and the school community, Lawrence Township Schools Superintendent
Shawn Smith said at a news conference.
“This is a great example of an educational leader in our state and our city
… Just a phenomenal individual that truly cared about children. This is a
tragic situation that we have. This loss is going to ripple across our district
of 15,000 students,” Smith said.
The district cancelled classes at all of its schools Wednesday and said
in a statement that four locations, including a transportation centre, would be
“open for emotional support to our staff and families”.
Indianapolis Police commander Chris Bailey said the bus driver, whose
name was not immediately released, would be given a blood test, a standard
procedure in collisions involving fatalities.
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