The life-saving initiative of a busload of secondary school students was acknowledged this week as Queensland emergency services representatives attended a special assembly at Aquinas College.
Students from the Brisbane Catholic Education secondary school, located in the Gold Coast suburb of Ashmore, were recognised for their efforts when the driver of their bus suffered a medical episode outside the College on July 8.
Aquinas College Principal Marcus Richardson said the students’ heroic actions allowed the bus to come to a safe stop.
Mr Richardson said the students also attended to the wellbeing of the bus driver and ensured the safety of all passengers.
“I’m really proud of how all our students conducted themselves and intervened to support someone in need,” he said.
Four students who played key courageous roles – Emma, Daniel, Courtney and Emma – not only received a Principal award, the school’s highest honour, but also a bravery award from the Queensland Ambulance Service.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Crash Investigator Acting Sergeant Shona Hartles and Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Gold Coast Region District Director Justin Payne attended the assembly to thank the students.
QAS Senior Operations Supervisor John Nolan said the students’ efforts saved those on board from serious harm.
“It was a brave moment for these young teenagers to immediately react and prevent what was shaping to be a disastrous crash for the passengers on the bus and other motorists and pedestrians on the road,” Mr Nash said.
Sergeant Hartles commended the bravery of the students “who acted selflessly, and without hesitation, and in doing so potentially averted a far more serious incident”.
