A harrowing incident unfolded when a vulnerable autistic schoolboy, Thomas, found himself stranded on a locked school bus for over two hours, a situation that could have had fatal consequences. Thomas, who has complex health needs such as severe asthma and kidney problems, was discovered only after he honked the bus horn. His mother, Jennifer Evans, expressed her distress at the ordeal, stating that the thought of her son’s vulnerability terrifies her, especially when entrusting his safety to strangers.
The incident occurred when Thomas was supposed to be dropped off at Alt Bridge Secondary School, a special educational needs facility, but was instead left on the bus, leading to a series of miscommunications that delayed his rescue. Both the bus company, Supreme Executive Travel, and the school issued apologies for the oversight that resulted in Thomas’s distressing experience. Despite the apologies, Ms Evans voiced her frustration with the lack of accountability and detailed communication from the transport company, emphasizing the need for answers and transparency.
Thomas’s inability to communicate verbally further exacerbated the trauma of the incident, manifesting in night terrors and psychological distress for the young boy. Ms Evans highlighted the potential life-threatening risks associated with her son’s health conditions, underscoring the gravity of the situation. While formal investigations and remedial actions were initiated by the council and the involved parties, the emotional toll and long-lasting impact on Thomas’s well-being call for increased vigilance and accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future
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