COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND — A Maryland school bus driver is being praised nationwide for her extraordinary act of bravery after she rescued 20 elementary school students from a burning bus, ensuring that every child made it out alive.
Fire Breaks Out During Afternoon Route
The terrifying incident occurred in College Park, when bus driver Renita Smith noticed smoke coming from her vehicle during an afternoon route. Without hesitation, she pulled the bus over, calmly evacuated all the children, and guided them to safety.
Once every student was off the bus, Smith ran back inside the burning vehicle to double-check that no one was left behind — an act that witnesses say likely prevented tragedy. Moments later, the bus was engulfed in flames.
“I just did what I was supposed to do,” Smith told local reporters after the incident. “I couldn’t leave any of my babies behind.”
Parents and Officials Praise Her Heroism
Parents and school officials have called Smith’s actions nothing short of heroic. “She saved 20 lives that day,” one parent said. “We can replace the bus — we can’t replace those children.”…