Hero driver saves children from burning school bus

A DRIVER was last night hailed a hero after evacuating children from a burning school bus in Co Limerick.

Seven children narrowly escaped serious when their school bus burst into flames.

The children from Caherelly National School were travelling to school at 9.15am yesterday morning when their driver, Jim O'Reilly, smelt smoke and ordered everyone off the bus.

Mr O'Reilly evacuated the children into a field near Ballyneety, Co Limerick, and moments later the bus was engulfed in flames.

Mr O'Reilly said: "There were seven children on board when the fire started near the engine I think. I stopped the bus immediately and the kids were brilliant. They all left by the front of the bus and went into a field. None of them panicked or anything they were fantastic," said Mr O'Reilly.

Employees at the nearby Roadstone Quarry rushed to the blaze minutes later with fire extinguishers from the work site.

One Roadstone employee said: "There was immediate panic when we heard about it. All we heard was the bus had gone on fire and there were kids on it. Everybody rushed to get extinguishers and anything they could. It was extremely scary at the time."

Two units of Limerick Fire Service attended the scene, along with the gardaí and ambulance services.

Fortunately, no one was injured during the fire which reduced the bus to a burnt out shell.

It is understood the bus had been due to collect more school children further along the route shortly before the blaze broke out.

The Principal of Caherelly National School, Mr Dailach Carey, described the bus driver yesterday as a "hero" and said he had helped to save the children's lives.

Mr Carey also confirmed all the children were back at their desks for lessons after the incident.

A spokesperson for Limerick Fire Service said it was possible the fire had started in the brakes.

A Bus Eireann spokesman yesterday said yesterday that a full investigation into the incident was underway.