Mum helps evacuate 22 schoolchildren from bus as it catches fire

In a heroic act, a Minnesota mother assisted in the safe evacuation of 22 elementary school students from a bus that caught fire, with no injuries reported thanks to her quick response and the driver’s calm actions. The incident occurred earlier this month in East Bethel, Minnesota, when Kari Thorp was waiting for her daughter’s school bus and noticed smoke and flames emanating from underneath the vehicle as it stopped in front of her home. Thorp immediately alerted the bus driver, Rick Gratton, and together they swiftly evacuated all 22 children from East Bethel Elementary School. Thorp’s Ring doorbell camera captured the chaotic scene as students gathered on her lawn, many crying and visibly shaken. The fire escalated rapidly, with the front of the bus becoming fully engulfed in flames within 15 minutes. The intense heat was so severe that it melted part of the road surface near Thorp’s property, highlighting the danger the children narrowly avoided. Despite the loss of the bus and some personal items like backpacks and lunch boxes, no one was harmed. Thorp reflected on how different the outcome might have been if she hadn’t been outside at that moment, noting that younger children often sit at the front where the fire originated. Both Thorp and Gratton were praised for their ‘heroic efforts’ by St. Francis Area Schools, with school leaders and parents recognizing their crucial role in ensuring student safety. The successful evacuation was also attributed to recent school bus safety training that the children had undergone. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire, with authorities examining the vehicle to prevent future incidents. The event has sparked discussions on bus safety protocols and the importance of community vigilance. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of such emergencies and the critical importance of preparedness and quick thinking in safeguarding lives.