PD: Bus Driver Abandons 60 Pope Francis Visitors in Darien

Police came across the strange site of about 60 people wandering on West Avenue near Post Road on Sept. 28 around 2:30 a.m

The group was on its way back to Boston after visiting Philadelphia during the Pope Francis visit earlier in the day. Many members of the group were elderly or adolescents and didn’t speak English, police said

Police learned that the bus driver suddenly claimed he was driving too long and that he needed to go to a hotel to sleep. He let them all off the bus near the Darien train station and told them to take the train the rest of the way.

The earliest train wouldn’t be at the station for another three hours. There was an Amtrak train due to leave Stamford at 3:25 a.m.

Shift supervisors Lt. Ray Osborne and Sgt. Mark Cirillo quickly arranged for an 18-seat transportation bus from Darien EMS Post 53 to transport the people in two runs to the station. Officer Michael Delvecchio drove the bus while Officers Patrick Clohessy and Robert Dahm filled patrol cars with other passengers and luggage.

Every passenger was transported to the station without incident.

Police said they have been in contact with the bus company LCL Transportation of Boston, Mass. The company indicated that passengers were presented with alternatives, but didn’t accept the options.