A heroic act by a football fan dad saved his young son from a burning bus, sparking calls for an investigation into bus safety. Chris Mitchell, a dedicated St Johnstone fan, was on a Rennies bus owned by Stagecoach Group with 70 other fans, heading to the League Cup semi-final at Hampden on November 20, 2021. As they were traveling along the A9, thick smoke started billowing out of the bus, which quickly turned into a blazing inferno.
Chris Mitchell took immediate action to save his 12-year-old son, Lewis, and himself, but unfortunately suffered a broken right heel in the process. The traumatic event left the 44-year-old resident of Perth diagnosed with PTSD.
Recalling the terrifying experience, Chris said that there was a strange smell on the bus even before they left Perth, but nobody paid much attention to it. When they reached Auchterarder on their way back, the driver pulled over, and suddenly the back of the bus burst into flames. Panic ensued as the flames spread, and there was no hammer available to break the window. People at the back started kicking and punching the windows, desperately trying to escape. With three or four rows of children on board, the only exit was at the front of the bus, creating a difficult situation.
One man a few rows down eventually managed to mangle his hand to break the window. Children were lowered down through the window, and one teenager even tried to escape from the roof. However, the only option left was for passengers to jump a nine to ten-foot drop onto the concrete road below. Chris was able to lower his son down safely before jumping himself, but he broke his right heel and also damaged his left. Both were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Chris is now calling for an investigation into the safety of Stagecoach buses, urging that the findings be made public. In recent years, there have been several bus fire incidents in Scotland, including the one involving Stagecoach buses. Stagecoach previously reported that a component failure within the engine caused the fire, claiming it couldn’t have been predicted. Nevertheless, Chris believes that the frequency of bus fires is unreasonable and demands more transparency in vehicle maintenance.
Stagecoach East Scotland emphasized that the safety of their customers, employees, and other road users is their top priority. They stated that thermal incidents, including fires, can happen to any vehicle type and operator, emphasizing that incidents in the sector are relatively rare. However, they are committed to working with relevant authorities and industry bodies to understand the root causes of incidents and reduce their occurrence.
This incident has shed light on the importance of bus safety and has sparked a discussion about the need for stricter regulations and increased transparency in maintenance practices. The authorities and government are being urged to take action and conduct a thorough investigation into bus safety to ensure incidents like these are avoided in the future.
The swift action of emergency services and the efforts of everyone involved in rescuing the passengers trapped in the burning bus have been acknowledged and praised. However, the focus now remains on preventing such incidents and ensuring the safety of passengers traveling on buses across the country. Only through a comprehensive investigation and a commitment to transparency can the necessary changes be implemented to enhance bus safety.
As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial to consider the perspectives of all parties involved, including the bus operator, authorities, and passenger rights groups. By incorporating different viewpoints and expert inputs, a balanced approach can be taken to address and rectify any potential safety issues. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In conclusion, a football fan dad’s heroic act of saving his son from a burning bus has sparked calls for an investigation into bus safety. The incident has raised concerns about the frequency of bus fires and the need for transparency in vehicle maintenance. As authorities and government agencies respond to these calls for action, a comprehensive investigation with input from all relevant parties will be crucial in improving bus safety standards. By incorporating different perspectives, the aim is to prevent future incidents and ensure the well-being of passengers traveling on buses across the country.
