Bus driver praised for actions during medical emergency
Velma Woodcock pulls off the road after students notify her that a boy on her bus is unresponsive. Woodcock instructs a parent to call 911 while she performs CPR on the student, who was not breathing. She visits the student in the hospital after completing her route.
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — A driver from Alamo Bus Co. recently performed CPR on a student who was unresponsive on her bus and is being hailed as a hero by Alamogordo Public Schools officials.
Passengers alerted Velma Woodcock to the medical emergency, and she pulled her bus off the road. She found the student unresponsive with blood coming from his mouth.
When the student did not respond to his name and began to shake, Woodcock asked a parent to call 911. Woodcock performed CPR on the student, who was not breathing.
After the paramedics and police arrived, Woodcock handled her own medical condition (asthma) with an inhaler and continued her duties. She finished her route, reassuring students as she dropped them off at their destinations.
After completing the route, Woodcock went to check on the student, who had been transported to a hospital by paramedics.
District officials praised Woodcock for her actions during the situation, saying that she responded to each challenge in a professional manner and did everything right.
It is highly probable that, because of her quick and decisive actions, she saved the young man's life, they added.
More Safety
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →