Retie (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A school bus with students crashed into a meadow near Meierend, Retie, when its driver sickened and lost steering control this morning. The incident, which occurred around 7:45 AM, did not harm any students. First responders moved the bus driver to the hospital for medical treatment. The students on board quickly notified emergency services when they called for help and showed responsible behaviours throughout the emergency.
The bus carrying school students lost control when the driver fell ill and crashed into a meadow in Meierend, Retie, early this morning. Students contacted emergency services right away and proved their responsible behaviour throughout the incident. The driver of Bus 381 experienced an illness that caused him to lose control while the bus was filled with schoolchildren on their way through Retie. The bus lost control of the road and stopped in a grassy field. All students escaped the accident without physical injuries. De Lijn spokesperson Frederik Wittock praises students for reporting the incident and contacting emergency services.
“They reacted very maturely and immediately notified the emergency services,”
says Frederik Wittock of De Lijn.
De Lijn immediately sent a substitute bus to bring students to their school but with a late arrival due to the response speed. The company representative, Mr Wittock, told everyone the issue was being handled, and passenger security remained a top priority. Doctors examined the driver and sent them to the hospital for medical tests.
Are bus safety standards adequate?
Public transport must follow serious safety standards to keep students protected as they ride. Safety incidents related to driver health problems are uncommon yet show why drivers need ongoing medical checks and why passengers should know what to do in emergencies.
Belgian discussions grew about better bus safety practices after more incidents happened. It was suggested that buses need driver health tracking tools and backup controls in their systems. De Lijn has shown strong support for passenger safety by making driver health monitoring part of consistent training and inspection routines.
