Sir, - A spokesperson for the National Parents' Council criticised the road traffic transport regulations in the aftermath of the accident on November 5th between a bus carrying students and teachers from our school, Salesian College, Celbridge, and a truck (The Irish Times, November 7th).
On the previous day a different representative of the council, on Morning Ireland, suggested, among other things that some school buses are sub-standard, that students on them are often unruly, that they often must sit three to a seat and that there is inadequate supervision. These conditions may indeed exist in some school buses in Ireland today, but the interview seemed to imply that this was the case with the bus carrying our students.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The bus in question, owned by Bartons, a very reputable company, was almost new - the best bus in its fleet - and the students, all Leaving Certificate boys, behaved in a highly responsible manner both before and after the accident and have been widely praised for doing so.
There was no overcrowding. There were at least eight spare seats on the bus and, in keeping with long-established practice, there were three experienced teachers supervising the pupils on the bus, two on the lower deck and one on top. All three assisted the pupils in an orderly evacuation of the bus and stayed with the most severely injured until medical help arrived. All three teachers were injured in the crash - two of them requiring hospital treatment.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who helped us: the emergency services, ambulance and hospital staffs, the Garda Siochana, the many parents and friends who offered to help and the many schools and individuals who contacted us to express their concern and sympathy. - Yours, etc.,
From Fr Daniel Carroll
Principal, Salesian College, Celbridge, Co Kildare.