Driver fired after taking Shaler Area bus over flooded road

A driver has been fired after driving a Shaler Area school bus over a flooded road Thursday in Shaler Township.

School district transportation provider ABC Transit told WPXI-TV the driver was terminated after video footage captured the incident Thursday afternoon on Seavey Road, in the aftermath of heavy rainstorms.

Three private-parochial school students were riding on the mini-bus at the time, according to school district officials.

In the video, the bus can be seen plowing through water that rises to the level of its headlights and over the top of its wheel wells.

In a statement released to WPXI, ABC Transit Vice President of Operations Todd O’Shell wrote: “The safety and security of all students transported by ABC Transit Inc. is our top priority. Company policy does not permit school vehicles to drive through water over roadways at any time. After investigation and review of yesterday’s incident on Seavey Road that violated this company policy, the school bus driver no longer works for ABC Transit Inc.”

An additional video obtained by the station appears to show a second, larger bus driving over the flooded road. School officials said one student was being transported from a primary school on that bus.

Shaler superintendent Sean Aiken released a statement Saturday.

“We are aware of the incident that occurred during Thursday’s inclement weather,” he said. “The safety of our students is our top priority and this includes on the bus as they travel to and from school. We have been in contact with ABC Transit Inc., which provides transportation for our district, and are investigating this incident. Appropriate actions will be taken pending the outcome of that review.”

ABC Transit representatives couldn’t be reached for comment Friday night.