Metro bus driver stood down amid investigation into alleged 'terrifying' outburst
A mum says her children told her the driver became angry after one of the school children spilled food. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)
In short:
A Metro Tasmania bus driver has been stood down amid an investigation into an alleged incident involving primary school children on a Burnie bus on Wednesday afternoon.
A mother says she was terrified when her children did not get off at the stop where she was waiting for them.
What's next?
The bus company says it is working with the primary school and Tasmania Police to investigate the matter.
A Burnie mother of four has described her "terror" after her two young daughters failed to get off a public bus at their usual stop on Wednesday afternoon.
The girls were on board a Metro Tasmania bus home from school during an "incident" in which the driver allegedly became angry and the security screen separating them and the passengers was damaged.
It is understood a group of school children, fearful of the driver's actions, exited the bus in a Burnie suburb and flagged down nearby police officers.
In a statement, Metro Tasmania said the bus driver had been stood down from their employment pending an investigation.
Azhure Russell says she walked for half an hour to look for her two eldest daughters, who did not get off the school bus when expected. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
Mum 'terrified' amid search for daughters
Azhure Russell was waiting with her son and daughter and their family dog at their local stop for her two eldest daughters, aged six and eight, to come home.
She said her daughters did not get off the bus when it arrived, but two of their classmates said they got off in Acton because the driver had allegedly become angry.
Ms Russell said she got on the bus and demanded to know where her children were, but the driver did not answer.
She said she asked how the security screen had been smashed, which the driver also did not explain.
"I was kind of yelling … I will admit,"she said.
Metro says an investigation into the incident is underway. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)
She said the other children on board said her daughters had exited the bus in a separate suburb after the driver "went psycho".
"I was terrified. I didn't know where they were exactly," Ms Russell said.
"Anyone could have picked them up, anything could have happened. It was terrifying."
She said she began running in the direction of the Burnie suburb of Acton, where she found her daughters in a group of children with three police officers.
"They were hysterically crying, all the children were crying,"Ms Russell said.
She said her children told her the bus driver had become angry after one of the school children spilled yoghurt.
"Oh, seriously overreacted," she said.
A Metro Tasmania spokesperson said the company was investigating the incident. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
Ms Russell said she was able to get her children home and safe, but she was disappointed it had shaken her faith in the school bus system.
"You should be able to trust the bus to get your kids home safe … how could [they] let them get off the bus?"
She said she trusted Metro, but she also did not have another option for getting her kids home from school.
"A lot of parents in this community only have that option, so it has really shaken us all," she said.
"It was very terrifying for everybody involved."
School, bus company work to address concerns
In a post on Facebook, Romaine Park Primary School principal Kylie Hyland acknowledged the "incident involving … students on the Metro bus tonight", and urged parents and carers to contact the school with any concerns.
"We are working with the authorities," she said.
"Everyone is safe and accounted for. Support for students will be available [on Thursday]."
A spokesperson for the Department of Education, Children and Young People said the "department is aware of a bus service incident that occurred yesterday afternoon while students were travelling home".
"The safety and well-being of students is the department's highest priority.
"Students who have been impacted are being supported by the school, and families are encouraged to contact the school if they require any further assistance.
"The matter is being followed up and has been reported to the relevant agencies."
A Metro Tasmania spokesperson said the company was investigating the incident and that the bus driver had been stood down during the investigation.
"Metro Tasmania takes the safety of its staff and passengers very seriously,"they said.
They said Metro was working with the school and Tasmania Police.
A police spokesperson said "no formal report" had been made to police, and they were not investigating the matter.
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