Secaucus First Graders Stuck In School Bus For Five Hours

SECAUCUS, NJ — Thousands of New Jersey residents had a nighmarish commute home Thursday evening. But that may be nothing compared to a school bus of first graders in Secaucus that were stuck for five and a half hours during the storm. Several parents said they had no idea where their children were, or if they were safe throughout the ordeal.

"Bus #75 is normally supposed to leave Huber Street at 3 p.m. It got to Xchange at 8:30 p.m.," said Rachana Kumari, 35, whose six-year-old son was on one of the buses. "I was terrified. We felt so helpless. My son said only one child started crying on the bus. But I didn't know if the bus had heat or if he was cold, or if he was OK."

It's three miles for Bus #75 to take children home from Huber Street elementary school to the Xchange complex, which houses hundreds of young families. It's a trip of about three miles. But a tractor trailer accident at the Secaucus Junction train station resulted in that trip taking five and a half hours Thursday night. The bus became stuck for hours on County Avenue. Bus #72, which also leaves from Huber, became stuck as well, but it is unknown for how long.

When the buses didn't show up for hours, some parents called 911, she said. Others posted on Facebook and in social media groups, asking where the buses, and their children, were.

"When the bus finally came, my son got off and he was OK," said Kumari. "I have to admit I started crying when I saw him. He said all the kids were basically OK. They just all had to use the restroom really badly. He said they just opened their lunch boxes and ate whatever snacks they had left."

The buses contained mostly first graders. There were about 30 kids on each bus, she estimates. She is furious this happened, and at the lack of communication from the Secaucus school district.

"I got a call that the buses would be delayed leaving Huber Street. But then I didn't hear anything after that. Some moms did get calls that the bus was very delayed, but I didn't get anything except for that one call," she said. "A few hours delay is OK. But not over five hours."

As the bus was just sitting on County Avenue, Kumari said some parents even walked or drove to County Ave. to get their children off the bus, such as by the Dunkin' Donuts. But, frustratingly for those parents, the driver said she was not allowed to let the children off.

Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli confirmed traffic was at a standstill on County Avenue all Thursday afternoon and evening. The Secaucus superintendent of schools, Jennifer Montesano, said all parents were notified that the bus was stuck.

"Unfortunately, the weather this afternoon and a tractor trailer accident near the Secaucus Junction (train station) caused gridlock throughout the town and county," said Montesano. "Our buses were delayed in this traffic, but parents were notified during this process. In fact, according to my transportation department, parents were even called individually to ensure they knew where the students were and that they were safe."

Secaucus police were also notified, but there was little they could do to move the buses in the gridlock, said Secaucus police Capt. Dennis Miller.

"There was nowhere they could move even with an escort. The entire town and ancillary roadways were gridlocked," said Capt. Miller. "This wasn't just an issue exclusive to Secaucus; traffic was gridlocked throughout the state."

Another mom, Surhabi Jha, whose six-year-old daughter was on the buses, said she did receive several calls from the district, at 4:40 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

"At 6:45 p.m. we got a call from the lady on the bus to update us about the delay and the traffic and jam," she said. "She didn't give any ETA at that time as the bus wasn't moving due to the traffic jam. She also mentioned that police were trying to escort the bus."

"I'm not mad at anyone because everyone was trying their best to make sure the kids reach home safely," she added, saying that the female bus driver was very nice and kept the kids calm the entire time.

But she did say she thinks there could have been better communication from the Secaucus school transportation department, and perhaps an app so parents can track the buses.

"I just think everyone agrees the situation could have been handled better," said Kumari. "We needed more communication from the district."

Photo via Shutterstock; not the stuck bus in Secaucus.