Driver praised for clearing school bus before fire

A Co Leitrim bus driver who evacuated four teenagers from a school bus and then drove it a safe distance away before it was engulfed in flames yesterday has been praised for his courage.

John McGourty (58) from Drumshanbo evacuated the students when he smelled smoke on the bus close to the village of Cootehall, Co Roscommon.

Gardaí said Mr McGourty saw sparks underneath the bus but drove on in an attempt to get the vehicle away from the students and to minimise the risk to a nearby house.

Minutes later the vehicle burst into flames and despite the efforts of fire crews from Boyle, Co Roscommon, and Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, it was quickly reduced to a burnt-out shell.

The privately-owned bus started on its journey to Drumshanbo vocational school just after 8am yesterday.

There were four students on the bus and two others were about to board when the alarm was raised.

School principal Martin Fallon was among those who praised Mr McGourty for his quick thinking, saying he had obviously driven on in case the bus exploded while it was close to the students.

He pointed out that the situation could have been much more serious had the fire started closer to the school when up to 40 children could have been on board.

Mr Fallon said five of the students, who were aged 13 to 16 and who were involved in the incident, had made it to school where counselling was provided for them.

Another youth was taken to his GP but was not seriously injured.

"The students were obviously very shocked and indeed were very worried about the driver because they could see the bus on fire up the road after he drove on," said Mr Fallon.

"They all know the driver and feel he was heroic."

As Garda Síochána technical experts examined the scene yesterday, Boyle-based Supt Tom Commons, who is leading the investigation, said it was very fortunate there were no serious injuries given the state of the bus.

"Everything that could be burnt was burnt. There is nothing left inside except the steel frames surrounding the seats."

He said the alarm was raised after Mr McGourty smelled smoke.

"He was on top of his game and as soon as he smelled the smoke he checked and saw sparks underneath the bus."

The driver immediately evacuated the bus and drove on.

It is understood that given the extent of the damage that it will be difficult to establish the cause of the fire.

The sparks were detected close to the front of the bus while the engine is at the back of the 23-year-old vehicle.

A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann said the vehicle, a 53-seater private coach contracted from Michael McGowan bus hire in Drumshanbo, did have a valid road worthiness certificate.

She said the contractor would carry out an investigation while Bus Éireann would liaise with investigating gardaí.

Finian Joyce, chief fire officer in Carrick-on-Shannon, said that fire crews responding to a 999 call went to the scene but the bus was quickly engulfed in flames.