NORWALK, Conn. – It could have been a tragedy.
A school bus loaded with 40 Silvermine elementary school children stalled on the railroad tracks on Broad Street, about 50 yards from North Main Avenue, shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday. Then the warning arms came down to block the tracks, signaling an approaching train.
According to a Norwalk Police Department press release, that’s when the bus driver began an emergency evacuation of the bus, getting all the children to safety as the train approached. The Metro North train managed to stop a mere 10 feet away from the bus, the release stated.
Tragedy averted.
According to the police, the bus driver had stopped and looked both ways, as required, before heading across the tracks. Then, the driver said, the bus stalled on the tracks. Why it stalled was not clear.
Police at the scene commended the driver, who was not identified, and the train crew, the release said.
Two students received what are believed to be minor injuries and were treated at the scene by
Norwalk EMS, the release said. They were taken to Norwalk Hospital for further evaluation.
Other buses were called to take the students home, and several parents showed up to pick up their children.
The bus was operated by First Student Inc., which provides bus service for Norwalk Public Schools.
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