27 October 2010

Close Call for a Group of Milton Students

The Main Street grade crossing warning device.

Milton Ontario - There's outrage and frustration in Milton Wednesday after a group of Milton high school students were involved in an incident on the school bus Tuesday morning.
 
"We're like this train is gonna hit us... we're gonna die," said student Danielle Dutton.
 
While the sides are arguing over exactly what happened, the students say they were on the bus on their way to their school, Bishop Redding Catholic High School, when the driver reached a train track on Main St. and the bus became stuck.
 
The crossing arm barrier hit the front of the bus. He was allegedly instructed to back up, but didn't.
 
The students say disaster was averted when one of the Canadian Pacific workers on the railway pulled a lever that sent the approaching train onto another track.
 
CP issued the following statement to CityNews:
 
"Work trains travel at very low speeds and it is possible that this train moved on a portion of track that signaled the crossing arm to be activated. In this case, there was never any danger of the train coming into the crossing."
 
CP has launched an investigation. Meanwhile, Bishop Redding Catholic High School is offering counseling to any student on the bus.
 
First Canada, the bus company, offered the following statement Thursday:
 
First Canada bus drivers undergo more than 50 hours of behind-the-wheel and classroom training before transporting any students. This training includes student behavioral management and bus safety, including the proper procedures when approaching a railroad crossing. We would never permit a driver to transport students if we were not 100% confident in his or her abilities.
 
In addition, First Canada conducts monthly in-service meetings throughout the year to discuss various safety topics as well as review company policies and procedures. Drivers also must follow all regulations and school district guidelines governing the operation of a school bus.
 
The safety and security of the students we transport is our core value and our upmost focus. We take this situation very seriously and are conducting a full internal investigation. The driver has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, as is standard protocol for First Canada.
 
We will address the topic of railroad crossing safety in our in-service meeting and will also reiterate the proper reporting procedures.