Investigation underway after bus driver’s medical episode put 2 students 40 minutes away from school

HAMPTON, Pa. — Police are investigating after a school bus driver suffered a medical emergency while students were aboard.

“He was actually going in the wrong direction off of school,” said Mark Schmitt, Monark Student Transportation President/CEO.

This medical episode ended up putting two students, ages six and nine, near the airport Monday morning — which is around 20 minutes away from their school in Hampton.

“When you hear something like this, first off your heart just drops onto the floor,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt says he is so thankful that the two children are both safe after the incident.

“It was unfortunately a medical condition that the driver had he was confused. We’re not sure what the condition was. He’s still in the hospital,” Schmitt said.

When the bus driver found a place to pull over, Schmitt said making sure the kids were safe was his first priority.

“He told the children, ‘Hey, everything is going to be OK. I’m trying to find some help.’ He went to an office in the area, took the children in with him. Had them please call 911 and the police,” Schmitt said.

A Hampton Township School District spokesperson said this incident is a matter of great concern and they’re actively addressing it.

They also said the district doesn’t require GPS monitoring on school buses and is reevaluating its safety measures with all transportation carriers.

“If we can make it easier to get to the point where we know exactly where that bus is at, it would be very helpful,” Schmitt said.

Allegheny County Police Department is looking into the situation.

The parents of the two children tell Channel 11 they hope there is a thorough investigation.

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