Maine School Bus Incident Caught on Camera Sparks Safety Concerns

A frightening school bus incident in Raymond has parents raising safety concerns after a video showing the event spread quickly online.

According to WGME 13, the video, which has been viewed more than 260,000 times on social media, shows a Raymond school bus beginning to drive off before a seventh-grade student had fully exited.

Emily Allen, the mother of the student, says the moment was terrifying to watch and has shaken her trust in the safety of district transportation, the news station reported.

"It's hard to witness that and still expect these drivers to be taking care of our kids and getting them home safely," Allen said.

The news station went on to explain that her 11-year-old daughter, Bella, was stepping off the RSU 14 bus last week when she became caught in the closing door.

"The door was shutting before she even hit the last two steps to get off," Allen explained. "Then it sent her into a spin."

Bella escaped with only a minor shoulder injury, but her mother says the outcome could have been much worse.

"It’s nerve-wracking," Allen added. "You expect to get off and not get hurt in the meantime."

RSU 14 Superintendent Chris Howell confirmed to WGME the district is aware of the video and is reviewing the incident.

"With something like this, it’s a personnel matter," Howell said. "I can’t speak about discipline or other steps that have been taken with the driver, but we share the concern. We want to make sure something like this never happens again."

Howell said the district will take any necessary steps, including additional training, to ensure student safety. The district has not disclosed whether the bus driver involved is still employed.