BETHEL — A School Administrative District 44 bus with students aboard was forced off Bird Hill Road by a logging truck this week, Superintendent David Murphy said. There were no injuries.
The bus, driven by Lynn Billings, went into a ditch and could not be driven back onto the road. Students were led to another bus.
Transportation Supervisor Ron Deegan notified parents.
Julie Berry, whose daughters Secilia Ojeda, 7, and Selena Ojeda, 12, were on the bus, said she received a call at 5:22 p.m. She said she asked if there was an ambulance at the scene while students were being evaluated and was told there was not.
“It is my understanding that medical personnel did not examine students in this situation, although this is something that we have discussed regarding any future incidents that might take place,” Murphy said.
“I was mad,” Berry said. “Those are our kids. Why was there no medical personnel there?”
Berry was also upset that she received the call from the bus garage personnel, not a school administrator.
According to Murphy, there is no specific policy regarding transportation incidents such as the one Wednesday, but he said parents are always notified as soon as possible.
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Students leave a School Administrative District 44 bus after it was forced off Bird Hill Road in Bethel by an oncoming logging truck Wednesday. There were no injuries, Superintendent David Murphy said. (Selena Ojeda photo)
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