Swansea School Bus Driver Fired After Troubling Incident With Kids On Board

SWANSEA (WBSM) — Authorities in Swansea are investigating what they call a “troubling incident” after it was reported that a school bus driver urinated inside the bus while students were on board.

What Happened on the Swansea School Bus

Swansea Public Schools Superintendent Scott Holcomb and Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley put out a press release this afternoon regarding the investigation. They said the unnamed 71-year-old bus driver “pulled over on the way to the Hoyle Elementary School and told the passengers to move to the back of the bus.” At the time of the incident, there were 12 Pre-K to Grade 2 children on the bus.

“The driver then allegedly relieved himself while sitting in the driver’s seat,” they said. They did not say how he went about doing so.

How the Incident Was Reported

They said the driver then completed the trip and dropped students off at the school. Some of the students reported what happened to their teachers, and an investigation began.

“Through the investigation, it is currently believed that no students on the bus witnessed the driver’s actions,” the authorities said. School officials notified the parents of the children that were on the bus at the time of the incident.

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School District Response and Driver Termination

Superintendent Holcomb also informed Amaral Transportation that the driver was fired from ever driving for Swansea Public Schools again, and that the department will “further review its relationship with Amaral and discuss the measures they will take to ensure something like this does not happen again,” according to the release, including reviewing Amaral’s hiring practices “to make sure they align with the district’s primary goal of keeping all Swansea students safe.”

Police Investigation and Next Steps

School officials also notified the Swansea Police Department. The incident remains under investigation, but no charges have been filed against the driver as of this writing. A report was also filed by the school department with the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families, in accordance with state law and Swansea Public Schools’ policies and procedures.

How Swansea Officials Are Responding

“This is a matter we take extremely seriously,” the statement read. “This type of behavior in the presence of children, especially young children, is unacceptable, and we will continue to look into the incident.”

Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact the Swansea Public Schools administrative office at (508) 675-1195.