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A normal afternoon in East Bethel, Minnesota, turned chaotic when Kari Thorp noticed smoke and flames coming from underneath a school bus as it pulled up to her home to drop off her daughter. She immediately ran toward the bus to alert the driver, Rick Gratton. Students on the bus started crying and panicking as the situation unfolded.
Thorp and Gratton worked together to evacuate all 22 students from East Bethel Elementary School. They gathered safely on her front porch as the bus became fully engulfed in flames within just a few minutes. The mom describes hearing the tires explode as the fire spread.
Although the bus was completely destroyed, along with some backpacks and lunch boxes, no one was injured. Parents and school officials praised Thorp and Gratton for their quick actions and bravery. Theyâve been recognized as heroes for keeping the children safe during the emergency.