A group of schoolchildren in Topsham, Maine, are recovering from a scary incident. Fourteen kids were on a school bus, heading to school, when without warning the driver, Arthur McDougall, began suffering a medical event.
When it was clear he had become incapacitated, the children sprung into action, steering the bus to safety.
Sadly, the driver died shortly after the incident. He was 77.
"It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Arthur McDougall, our bus driver who was transported to the hospital this morning, has passed away," Maine School Administrative District 75 Interim Superintendent Bob Lucy wrote on Facebook on Monday.
"We offer our deepest condolences to Arthur's family, friends, and colleagues. This is very difficult news to share and process," Lucy continued. "We will have counselors available to support all students and staff in our schools and District buildings tomorrow and in the upcoming days."
The death of the driver is incredibly sad for the community. The Topsham Police Department issued a statement on behalf of his wife: "Diane McDougall asked that we pass along her thanks to all of the students, citizens, and first responders who attempted to save her husband's life yesterday. She stated it was overwhelming to hear of the efforts taken by those involved."
Luckily, no one else was injured. That was thanks to the quick-thinking students on the bus. Brothers Rufus and Chhaya Hinkley were on the bus when the incident happened. "I saw someone run up and grab the wheel and hit the brake on the bus," Rufus told Fox 23. "And we kind of were, like, off the road."
The students just managed to get themselves to safety. They also tried to save their bus driver. A student attempted to administer first aid while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Arthur McDougall is survived by his wife Diane, his sister, and his three children, Arthur, Matthew, and Pamela, according to a tribute posted to his sister's Facebook.
The bus driver served in the US Air Force. His sister wrote that he "will be dearly missed and remembered as a gentle, kind and thoughtful man."
