YMCA Counselor Saves Busload of Kids

Police say the driver experienced a serious medical problem that led to her death, and the quick-thinking counselor kept the 20 kids on board safe by guiding the bus to the side of the road.

Salem-News.com

(MEDFORD) - Oregon State Police troopers credit the quick action of a YMCA counselor in preventing serious injuries to several children and other counselors during an incident that ended in the death of a bus driver on Interstate 5 in Medford.

Friday at approximately 9:45 AM, Oregon State Police troopers from the Central Point Area Command Office responded to a reported single vehicle crash southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 29. The crash involved a Laidlaw school bus that was transporting approximately 20 YMCA day camp children and counselors to Emigrant Lake.

Preliminary investigation indicates that 50-year old Jill Ann Hillburn of White City, was driver a 2005 Laidlaw school bus southbound on Interstate 5 in the right lane when she began having a serious medical condition and lost control of the bus. The bus traveled into the left lane where it struck the center barrier.

One of the counselors identified as 22-year old Sarah Hanson of Ashland, observed the driver having a serious medical problem and rushed to the front of the school bus. Without any previous training, Hanson was able to take control of the bus and steer it to the right shoulder, bringing it to a stop.

Jill Hillburn was transported to the Rogue Valley Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.

OSP Lieutenant Brian Powers believes Sarah Hanson's actions were instrumental in preventing other injuries. "If not for the quick thinking of Ms. Hanson, this incident could have resulted in additional serious injuries or deaths," said Lieutenant Powers.