Principal, teacher revive girl struck by school bus

The 5-year-old is hit in front of an elementary school in California when the bus rolls backward down a hill. The school officials find that she has stopped breathing, so they perform CPR, and the girl regains consciousness shortly thereafter.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

March 21, 2013

1 min to read

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — A principal and a special-education teacher are being hailed for their actions to revive a 5-year-old girl after she was struck by a runaway school bus on Monday, The Press-Enterprise reports.

The girl was standing against a railing on a sidewalk at the bottom of a hill, waiting for her parents to pick her up, and the bus was uphill at the top of a school driveway. The driver was on the bus but not behind the wheel, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Box Springs Elementary School Principal Sam Stager saw the bus roll backward, hitting the girl, and by the time he reached her, she was not breathing.

Stager and special-education teacher Stephanie Brown began performing rescue breathing and chest compressions, and a short time later, the girl regained consciousness, according to The Press-Enterprise.

Moreno Valley Unified School District Superintendent Judy White told the news outlet that Stager’s quick response “may have changed the outcome of the situation,” and she thinks he’s “considered a hero.” For his part, Stager said that Brown is equally responsible for saving the girl’s life.

To read the full story, click here.

Topics:California school site safety Safety

More Safety

A close up detail of the back of a school bus with text reading "Insight From 10 Years of NHTSA Data."

Safety•by Elora Haynes•July 22, 2026

NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes

The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.

Safety•by Amanda Huggett•July 21, 2026

2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing

New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•July 9, 2026

Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York

A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.

School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•June 30, 2026

NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.