DAVENPORT, Fla. — A school bus driver here was able to safely deboard nearly 40 students from a bus before it burst into flames last week, WTSP reports.
Kristina Behrman was driving the students to school when, shortly after 7 a.m., she saw smoke coming from the back of the bus, she told WTSP. She pulled over and called 911, and said that within minutes, the smoke turned into flames. She got the students to evacuate the bus just before the flames started coming out of the back of the bus, she added.
Sgt. Mary Godino of the Florida Highway Patrol told WTSP Behrman did exactly what she was trained to do by pulling over the bus when she spotted a hazard and taking care of the situation, and that she was “instrumental in saving all those children.”
While many are hailing Behrman as a hero, she told WTSP that she “didn't do anything any other, I hope, bus driver or teacher would[n't] do. We go to work every day and we're there to educate and protect.”
Watch video of the incident taken by a 10 News viewer, provided online by WTSP, below. To read the full story, go here.
Driver rescues nearly 40 children from burning bus
Kristina Behrman of Davenport, Florida, called 911 when she saw smoke coming from the back of the bus as she was driving students to school. She got the students to evacuate the bus just before it burst into flames.

Kristina Behrman of Davenport, Florida, got students to evacuate her bus just before it burst into flames. Photo from WTSP video, taken by a 10 News viewer.
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 →
