TransLink Bus Driver Saves Child’s Life

A TransLink bus driver has saved a six-year-old girl from choking on a dollar coin during her school trip home.

Being a mother of five and grandmother, Ms Smith said maternal instinct took over when Abbie was choking.

She said she began working as a bus driver six months ago and loved her job.

“I live local and work local. It’s only five minutes up the road - it’s the perfect job,” Ms Smith said.

“It’s a great job for meeting new people and thoroughly rewarding.

“I’ve even joked with the children that they can eat on the bus now, just don’t eat money.”

Minister for Transport and Member for Logan John Mickel congratulated the driver, Debbie Smith, and thanked her for her quick actions on behalf of the public transport network and parents everywhere.

“Where do you begin to thank someone for saving a young girl’s life?” Mr Mickel said.

“Debbie is a courageous woman and a responsible driver.

“She was able to safely pull over the bus and rescue the girl, whilst comforting the many distressed children on board, including her sisters and brother.

“This lifesaving effort is a reminder that there are heroes all around us and it’s reassuring to know that, when the need arises, there are people around who will step up when needed.

“We are all very, very grateful to Debbie and thankful that she was behind the wheel.”

Mr Mickel said Ms Smith, a driver with TransLink bus operator Park Ridge Transit, had played down the event as being “just something you would do for one of your kids”.

“Like many heroes, Debbie is modest but I wanted to give our community the chance to acknowledge her actions and thank her for saving Abbie’s life,” Mr Mickel said.

Ms Smith said she was driving students home from St Augustine’s College at Springfield on Tuesday afternoon when she was alerted that the girl, Abbie Van Schie, was choking.

She said she was in the middle of a roundabout in Springfield and safely pulled the school bus over as the children carried Abbie, who was pale with blue lips, to the front of the bus.

“Abbie started to panic and was choking and gasping,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith said she tapped between Abbie’s shoulders and squeezed her chest to dislodge the dollar coin which Abbie had accidentally swallowed.

At a tearful reunion on Wednesday with Abbie, and her mother Mrs Van Schie gave Ms Smith flowers and chocolates for saving her daughter’s life.

“I feel this is only a small token in comparison to what she has given Abbie and my family. Words cannot express how thankful I am,” Mrs Van Schie said.

“I will forever be grateful — I can never thank her enough for being so competent and being able to manage those children.”

Mrs Van Schie said she could not believe how Ms Smith remained calm in the crisis, especially with a bus full of children including Abbie’s two older sisters and brother.

“I will always be indebted to Park Ridge Transit for providing a bus driver who was able to respond immediately in a crisis situation with my child and ensured the safety of all the other children on the bus.”

17 October 2008

Media contact: Jane Rowe 0409 588 302