Heroic School Bus Driver Averts Disaster by Redirecting Vehicle from Oncoming Train

A school bus driver in Florida is facing over 20 charges of child neglect after allegedly ignoring warning signals and crossing in front of an approaching train.

The driver, 67-year-old Yvonne Hampton, was transporting approximately 30 children and two adults when the bus was struck by a train on Thursday, according to local authorities.

Heart-stopping footage captured the chaotic scene as the bus, filled with students, came dangerously close to the tracks while the train rushed by. The video was filled with the sounds of students screaming in terror.

One child could be heard shouting in disbelief, “What the f*** is wrong with you?” as emotions ran high on the bus.

Amid the chaos, some students were heard checking on their peers’ safety, while others were in tears as the train roared past.

No injuries were reported among the students and staff, the school district confirmed in a statement. 

The Sumter County Sheriff’s office responded to the harrowing scene that unfolded at Central Avenue and N Market Street in Bushnell.

Hampton, who has worked in the district for over a decade, drove over the railroad crossing after the warning lights flashed and the guardrails lowered, according to the arrest report obtained by WESH2.

A Florida school bus driver faces more than two dozen child neglect charges for ignoring warning lights and crossing in front of an oncoming train

Terrifying video showed the schoolkids on the bus, dangerously close to the train tracks

Yvonne Hampton, 67, has been employed with district for over 10 years. She was driving a bus carrying nearly 30 children and two adults, when it was clipped by a train on Thursday

Shocking video and audio reviewed by police reportedly capture a voice believed to be Hampton’s, saying, ‘not gonna stop for no train.’ 

The 67-year-old later told detectives that she was already driving over the crossing when the warning lights kicked on. But video evidence showed otherwise, per the report. 

Hampton faces 29 child neglect charges, with her bond set at $30,000. 

‘I want to reiterate just how fortunate we are,’ Sumter County District School superintendent Logan Brown said to FOX35. 

‘When you look at the totality of this situation, we truly averted what could have been a catastrophic event.’

Brown added that ‘it was a matter of six inches,’ and the outcome could have been ‘extremely catastrophic.’

‘I also hurt for the kids because this is something they’ll remember forever,’ Brown told the outlet. 

Summer County Sheriff’s Office and school board gave a statement about the incident

The frightening scene unfolded at Central Avenue and N Market Street in Bushnell, Florida

‘It’s unfortunate that it happened but we’ve taken very calculated measures to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.’

The train conductor reportedly saw the school bus on the tracks and tried to brake while blaring the horn. 

‘Based on everything we know, [the conductor] did everything he was supposed to do, and in my view, he’s a hero in this situation,’ Brown added.  

The incident is currently under review by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Sumter County School District.