On 9 December, Gareth Ward, Member for Kiama, officially presented a Community Hero Award to Gary Reeves, the bus driver who managed to evacuate all 33 students off his bus after it caught fire on 28 November. 

Joining Mr. Ward and Gary at the ceremony were Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, Kiama Coaches Managing Director John King, and Gary’s family and friends.

“We’re gathered here to celebrate a person who did something quite extraordinary. The 28th of November could have been a very different day,” said Mr. Ward.

“Only metres from where I’m standing a child noticed that their school bus was on fire. If it wasn’t for the quick thinking, following his training, of Gary there could have been a very different outcome that day.”

Mr. Ward went on to outline just how respected and loved Gary is in the Kiama community, emphasising the community’s deep gratitude.

“I’m sure you thought you were just going to work and doing what you should do. But I can tell you that our community is so incredibly proud of you and grateful that you responded so quickly. I know that all of those parents, having spoken to some of them, are so thrilled that you were able to get their sons and daughters home to them that night,” said Mr. Ward.

The bus fire.

Gary also shared his account of the incident, describing how a young student on his bus alerted him to the smell of smoke, which put him on high alert.

“There’s a couple of boys who sit up front who are about 9 years of age. They’re like having two co-drivers. They know every alarm and everything on the dash – what the sound is and what needs to be done,” said Gary.

“One boy said I can smell smoke, and I replied, Are you sure that is smoke? I came down past Bombo, turned into Gipps Street and I asked again if he could smell it and he said Yes. So, I was looking in the rearview mirror for smoke and after a while I spotted a puff of smoke in the mirror from the rear and decided to evacuate the bus on that.”

Gary confirmed that no students at the back of the bus, where the fire had started, noticed anything, and no drivers behind him indicated any issues. A humble man, Gary claims he remained calm and collected because of his training.

“It was the training,” he said. “It was early detection and from there I just followed the procedures.”

Mayor Cameron McDonald highlighted that, had it not been for Gary’s dedication to his job, the outcome could have been vastly different.

“The dedication that you bring to your role as a bus driver has meant that you're well loved by parents and students alike. You’re a hero to the local community and also loved and respected by the community as well,” said McDonald.

Source: Jett Silva

Without Gary’s closeness to his students, perhaps the young boy doesn’t say anything, and that early detection doesn’t happen. Gary’s commitment and devotion were also evident in the fact that he was back driving a bus that same afternoon and the following day.

“I thought it was best for me and them to be back working that afternoon and the next day. Everybody was getting things off their chest. We were all there together and we were all together again for those next two shifts,” said Gary.

After receiving the award, Gary thanked the community for their continued support, especially after the incident.

The Bugle wants to recognise the actions of a community hero and wishes the best for Gary as he continues to support Kiama and its people.