HUNTINGTON WOODS, Mich. — A student with severe autism escaped his harness and school bus and started walking on the freeway on Tuesday, WXYZ reports.
The boy, who was being taken home from a program for students with special needs, escaped from the emergency door of the bus, according to the news source. Some bystanders ran after him and video from a WXYZ news viewer shows that the traffic stopped until first responders arrived. The boy was not injured.
Dr. Daveda Colbert, the superintendent of Oak Park Schools, told WXYZ that after reviewing school bus video, she spotted two issues. The harness that the boy was wearing was fastened properly but needed to be replaced. Colbert added that a new harness was ordered for him. Additionally, she told the news source that there is a question as to whether the staff on the bus reacted appropriately and quickly enough. Those staff members are on leave during an investigation into the incident. The school district told the school bus company, First Student, to provide another driver, aide, and additional staff member to sit next to the student to ensure he is safe, WXYZ reports.
The district also released a statement, obtained by the news source, that said that when the incident happened, 911 was called immediately. Emergency responders immediately reported to the scene, and drivers who were passing by assisted as well. The statement also noted that First Student fully supported the district’s recommendations.
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