Incident of Abandonment: Two Cottage Grove Middle Schoolers Left Alone in Van
Two Cottage Grove middle schoolers were left alone recently in a nine-passenger van, sparking outrage and concern over student safety. The incident occurred when the bus driver and bus aide responsible for the students failed to ensure they exited the vehicle at the end of their morning shift.
The van, which belonged to the Big River Bus Company in Hastings, had dropped four students off at Oltman Middle School at 7:37 a.m. on September 22. However, two children were left behind, and the van proceeded to the Big River Bus Company terminal with the adult driver and bus aide on board.
Investigation and Response
According to the school district, an attendance call and email were sent to the students’ families at 10 a.m., alerting them that their children were absent. The parents, confused and concerned, contacted the school, stating that their children had boarded the school bus that morning. Oltman Middle School immediately initiated a protocol investigation, contacting 911, searching the school building, and reaching out to Big River Bus Company.
At 10:25 a.m., the students were found in the van parked at the bus company terminal. The school district and Big River Bus Company took swift action, with the bus driver and bus aide responsible for the incident being fired. The bus company also assigned a new team to the route to ensure safe transportation and proper service.
Apology and Assurance
Heather Droel, Vice President of Safety and HR at Big River Bus Company, apologized for the incident, stating, “This is completely unacceptable, and we sincerely apologize to the students, their families, and the South Washington County Schools.” The company is reviewing and reinforcing existing protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
The school district emphasized the need to protect students and ensure their safety during transportation, with ongoing communication with Big River Bus Company. While the firing of the driver and aide was seen as a significant step, the district acknowledged that it did not alleviate the fear and anxiety caused by the incident.
Previous Incidents
Big River Bus Company has faced previous incidents, including the firing of a bus driver for drunk driving to Park High School in Cottage Grove last winter and the firing of an aide charged with groping a 6-year-old Woodbury boy on a bus ride home last October.
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