NC school bus driver honored for saving students during bus fire

Brogden Middle School students and staff gathered Tuesday afternoon to thank a school bus driver for her bravery.

Durham Public Schools said bus driver Deona Washington helped 28 students to safety after a school bus caught fire on Friday.

“Ms. Washington is a true hero," Brogden Middle School Principal Anthony White said. "Her instincts and quick actions saved the lives of our students. We are extremely grateful that she is part of the Brogden family.”

Students assembled in front of the school on Tuesday afternoon to thank Washington for her bravery.

White also presented Washington with flowers and a Brogden hero T-shirt.

"I wanted to say thank you and give you your flowers," White said to Washington.

Students clapped and cheered for Washington after the presentation. She has driven for DPS for 11 years.

"Some kids are fortunate. Their parents have cars, but all kids don't," Washington said. "So, if we [the school buses] don't run, then they don't go [to school].

"And, they need to learn. They have to learn."

It took 11 Durham firefighters about 15 minutes to control Friday's fire with the bus sustaining significant damage. Firefighters were called around 2 p.m. Friday near American Drive and Constitution Drive.

"My first thought was, 'Let's move' because it's diesel [fuel]," Washington said. "We gotta move from it, get away from it."

The district said it helped all 28 students who were on the bus to safely get to where they needed to go.

"Nobody panicked," Washington said. "I kept them calm. That was my main goal. If I keep them calm, then I can stay calem and the it'll be a smooth ride."

WRAL News has asked district leaders whether the school bus fire has anything to do with recent sickouts by bus drivers, mechanics and other public school system employees in Durham.

Durham Public Schools, Durham Fire Department and Thomas Built Buses said they are investigating how Friday's school bus fire started.

On Tuesday, WRAL News reached out to the Durham Fire Department. A department spokesperson said all they can say at this time is that it appears the fire began in the engine compartment.