GREEN BAY, Wis. — River Falls Journal reports that last week the Wisconsin School Bus Association named Steve Linehan Wisconsin School Bus Driver of the Year for saving 40 children from a bus fire, presenting him with a plaque at a luncheon.

Last September, Linehan was driving a bus full of children to Greenwood Elementary School. He stopped the bus when he smelled smoke and evacuated the students as flames spread, with only very minor injuries, according to the newspaper.

Linehan said he is honored, but that the kids were the heroes; the incident was scary for them and “they all behaved like young men and women and they all got off safely,” Linehan said, according to the River Falls Journal. He added that it was the district’s training for bus drivers and students that helped him get the kids safely off the burning bus.

Bus Garage Supervisor Ron Weishaar, who nominated Linehan for the award, said he is very proud of Linehan.

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