Norwalk police on Wednesday evening issued the following news release about a tragedy averted just in time:
This afternoon at 3:58 PM, Norwalk Combined Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a school bus stuck on the railroad tracks on Broad Street in Norwalk.
The bus had been traveling westbound on Broad Street from Main Avenue toward Silvermine Avenue. The railroad tracks are located approximately 50 yards in from Main Ave / Route 7.
Norwalk Police Officers were dispatched to the scene, with the first officer arriving less than one minute later.
The police officer determined that the school bus had stopped appropriately and looked both ways prior to entering the railroad crossing. The bus driver stated that when he drove forward he experienced a mechanical malfunction leaving the bus stranded, straddling the railroad tracks.
At this point, the railroad crossing arms lowered as a southbound Metro North train approached the crossing. The bus driver commenced an emergency evacuation of the students on board, leading the 40 elementary school students to a safe zone nearby.
The train operator was able to stop the train safely, approximately 10 feet prior to the bus, averting any collision.
Two students received what are believed to be minor injuries and were treated at the scene by Norwalk EMS. The two students were transported to Norwalk Hospital for further evaluation.
Replacement buses were called to the scene to transport the remaining students along the normal route home. Several parents responded to the scene and picked up their children.
Once everything was deemed safe, personnel entered the bus and were able to remove the bus from railroad crossing. Once the tracks were cleared, the train was released and continued southbound on its normal route.
The officer on the scene commends the bus driver and the train crew for their excellent work in evacuating the students, stopping the train and caring for the students in a safe zone nearby.
The bus was operated by First Student Inc. who provides bus service for Norwalk Public Schools.
The bus had recently left Silvermine Elementary School, a Norwalk Public School located at 157 Perry Avenue and serving K-5 students.
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