Doreen Campbell, People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for Western Portland, is demanding immediate answers and accountability from authorities after a near-tragic incident allegedly involving a 14-year-old Marymount High student earlier this month.

In a statement last Saturday (December 13), the incident occurred on December 1, when the teenage Buff Bay native was thrown from a moving Rural School Bus. The vehicle was dangerously overcrowded, with children standing on the steps. It is alleged that another student, who was a passenger, pulled the emergency lever, causing the door to open and the girl to fall out of the bus. She narrowly avoided being struck by the rear wheel.

Reports state the driver continued until alerted by other students. The victim was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with soft tissue injuries to her knees and face, unable to walk for nearly two weeks.

“This raises grave concerns. Who operates these buses, the Ministry of Transport or Ministry of Education? Who bears the duty of care? Why has no representative from the Ministry of Transport or Education contacted the family? Why was there no supervisor onboard, as Minister Vaz promised?” asked Campbell

Despite the matter being referred to Transport Minister Daryl Vaz’s office, Campbell countered that the family has not heard from anyone.

Campbell said, “I call on the relevant authority to provide this child with necessary support, psychologically and physically, to help prevent future medical complications. We must ensure our children’s safety is never compromised by bureaucratic failure.”