PHILADELPHIA — A school bus here was hit with a deluge of debris after a nearby building under demolition collapsed at a construction site last week.
Bus driver Spencer Reynolds had just dropped off students at the nearby National Constitution Center for a field trip and was sitting in traffic when the debris began to hit the bus, NBC 10 reports. Reynolds told NBC 10 that there were stones flying onto the steering wheel and glass falling onto the seats while he was trying to drive away, and told WPVI that he heard rumbling, saw dust and “the rest was scrambling.” No one was injured in the incident.
A slab of concrete from the building had fallen onto a section of street that was blocked off by a fence and barriers, and the bus was next to the barrier when it was struck, according to NBC 10. The city Department of Licenses and Inspections said that a support column may have given way, WPVI reports. That allowed the 8-foot by 15-foot section of reinforced concrete floor to fall off and crash into a light pole and trees, in addition to the school bus.
Police told NBC 10 that the construction company had safety measures in place.
Debris from Demolition Site Falls onto School Bus
A Philadelphia bus driver drops students off and is stopped in traffic when a slab of concrete falls onto the street. Stones fly onto the steering wheel and glass falls onto the seats as drives away.
More Safety

What’s Behind HopSkipDrive’s Near-Perfect Safety Record in 2025?
The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.
Read More →2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
Child Safety Network Taps Dr. Michael C. Hout to Combat School Bus Stop-Arm Runners
Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
Read More →
NTSB Determines Human Error Led to Waymo’s Illegal School Bus Passing
Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.
Read More →
National Action Plan Aims to End Illegal School Bus Passings Across the U.S.
See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.
Read More →
11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus
Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.
Read More →
7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
Read More →
The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
Read More →
EverDriven Launches New Council to Standardize Safety Across 36 States
EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
Read More →
Thomas Built Buses Awards “If You Pass” Safety Campaign Funds to Ga. District
The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.
Read More →
