Braden River School Bus Crash

MANATEE COUNTY - Despite a clean driving record and remorse over his actions, Manatee County school bus driver Charles Orr was fired by the school district Friday after he crashed his bus a day earlier.

The accident that injured 23 Braden River Middle School students was the result of driver error by Orr, 68, school officials said at a news conference Friday.

Meanwhile, district officials said they will pay the medical bills of the 23 students who were hospitalized after the crash.

"We want to make this right for the students and families involved," said district spokeswoman Margi Nanney.

In a video from inside the bus that was released Friday, Orr is seen looking into a mirror back at the students and handing a disciplinary note over his head to a student behind him. His eyes do not appear to be focused on the road for several seconds before the crash.

The video shows several students warning Orr of the tractor-trailer that was stopped in their lane ahead, and bracing for impact. After, the students then panic as the bus continued to roll along the grassy shoulder of the westbound lanes of State Road 64 after the collision.

Some students screamed for Orr to press the brakes, which he could not because the crumpled front of the bus prevented brake pedal movement. His legs were also pinned by the dashboard and steering wheel, so he could not reach the emergency brake or ignition key.

"The driver responded post-accident properly," said Don Ross, the district director of transportation. "He was trying to maneuver the bus, apply the brake and control the children."

However, he said drivers are not allowed to hand out disciplinary referrals while the bus is moving.

Full Story:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120106/ARTICLE/120109752/2416/NEWS?Tit...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Crash
• bus crash
• car crash
• Traffic Collision
• Accident
• Crashes

[Mindlesslove3]

@SomeCrapChannel Its in a bus what do you expect ?

[Mindlesslove3]

@RichManSCTV It wasn't skipped.. When the bus crashed into the semi the camera flipped upside down...

[nray1987]

The kids all over reacted! I sure didn't see anyone jumping to help him way to keep calm kids!

[SomeCrapChannel]

That cam sucks.

[Jessica14152]

I feel so bad for the bus driver for these kids yelling at him, he did not do this on purpose and he is pinned and there screaming at him, but he should have been paying attension

I hope everyone is ok!

[neXusDarkMatter]

pretty crazy how the breaks all failed...fuck that!

[RichManSCTV]

why was it skiped?

[darkangel6941]

I know everyone on that bus

[KraziestWebaShows]

DEVIN!