Assemblyman Will Barclay presents an Assembly Resolution to school bus driver Barb VanSanford for being the recipient of the Education Real Hero Award.
Assemblyman Will Barclay recently presented Altmar-Parish-Williamstown bus driver Barb VanSanford with an Assembly Resolution.
VanSanford received the 2016 American Red Cross of Central New York’s Education Real Hero Award last December for saving a young boy.
While stopped on her bus route to pick up a student, VanSanford noticed a tractor-trailer coming up fast behind her.
As the student was about to board the bus, she realized the tractor-trailer was not going to stop.
Rather than allowing the boy to board the bus, she quickly yelled to him to run away.
Fortunately, he turned and ran and her quick thinking and instruction saved the boy’s life.
The truck slammed into the back of the bus, flipped the bus over and compressed six rows of the back of the bus.
The bus landed on the other side of the road against the guardrail.
She and a bus aide escaped the accident with some injuries but thankfully there were no other children on the bus at the time and she prevented a greater tragedy.
Barclay recognized her act in official state record during the 2017 Legislative session and commended her bravery and her humble character.
“Barb’s spontaneous and heroic actions saved a young boy’s life. Though reluctant to receive praise and attention, she is a Real Hero and this community is fortunate to have a compassionate person like Barb on its side, someone who works every day to make sure that her students are safe,” said Barclay.
