On Thursday morning, the quiet coastal town of Kiama, New South Wales, was rattled by the alarming sight of flames engulfing a school bus, carrying 33 students to school. The fire erupted around 8:45 am on Collins Street, turning what should have been any other routine morning commute for the school children and their driver, Gary,into chaos.
Quick thinking saved lives as the fearless driver immediately recognized the threat. Upon noticing smoke and flames, he acted quickly, bringing the bus to a halt and urging all the students to evacuate. His decisive action happened just in time, as flames were quickly consuming the bus and black smoke spiraled skyward, capturing the attention of onlookers.
The chaos of the moment was aptly recounted by the students. Some were excited, others frightened—they found themselves caught up in the turmoil of the fire. Superintendent Adam Dewberry of NSW Fire and Rescue described the scene, saying, "Some kids were excited, some put out, but we’re looking after them." Thankfully, none suffered injuries.
Among the students was 11-year-old Evie Clydesdale, who unflinchingly sprang to action, helping to shepherd younger classmates off the bus. "I just felt like doing something right for other people," Evie told reporters later, admitting the ordeal was frightening yet necessitated calmness and reassurance for those around her.
Evie, along with her parents Victoria and Damien, shared their experience on the national morning show Sunrise. Evie's father mentioned how word spread about the fire on social media faster than he could reach the scene. "I think Evie’s bus is on fire, and I jumped in the car and went down to check she was all right," he recalled, expressing gratitude for her safety.
Victoria, meanwhile, was teaching when she received the news. She reflected on how she felt grateful for Gary’s swift action. "When Evie described what happened, it sounded like she stayed really calm when she was on the bus, telling the smaller children to hurry and get off the bus," said Victoria. She couldn't hide her pride for her daughter's bravery.
Firefighters arrived swiftly, with two fire trucks and eight firefighters deployed to tackle the blaze. Within just 15 minutes, they extinguished the inferno, but the aftermath required careful handling because the bus contained approximately 200 litres of diesel fuel—another layer of complexity to the emergency response.
The Kiama Council worked diligently to manage the scene, closing Collins and Terralong streets for several hours after the incident. Environmental concerns arose due to the threat of diesel contamination to local waterways, so specialist units were deployed to mitigate any risks. According to reports, the hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team was active on-site, raising pollution booms to manage the spill.
Witnesses to the fire praised Gary's bravery and quick thinking. One parent, Belinda Fagan, took to social media, expressing her gratitude, saying, "To hear from my daughter how you went about ensuring everyone got off the bus safely. You are nothing short of a hero. Thank you." Gary's history as the long-time bus driver also contributed to the community's sense of safety and trust; kids knew they could count on him.
Meanwhile, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. NSW Police Superintendent Adam Dewberry indicated they would allow the smoldering wreck to cool down before conducting thorough examinations. He confirmed efforts were underway to ascertain how the fire began.
Although all students and teachers were eventually escorted safely to school after the bus was evacuated, the psychological impact on the children is being acknowledged. The principal and school staff organized support for any students needing counseling, ensuring concerns were treated with sensitivity.
With the swift response from the bus driver, firefighters, and local authorities, the incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols and the preparedness for emergencies among school transports. The Kiama community banded together to not only protect the children but uplift them, reminding everyone of the inherent courage found within them, especially among young heroes like Evie and dedicated figures like Gary.
"Kids are resilient," said Superintendent Dewberry, underlining the spirit of the community. The Kiama incident serves as both a stark reminder of how quickly normalcy can turn to crisis and the importance of how effective action can prevail when lives are at stake.