After Bus Crash, Ocean County 5th Grader Calms Schoolmates Until Help Arrives

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Lilly Bossow is the kind of kid who is always looking to help others.

Whether it's reminding schoolmates to follow safety rules in her role as a member of the North Dover Elementary School safety patrol or volunteering for a project without knowing the details of what's needed, Lilly is always helping others, North Dover Principal Colleen McGrath said Wednesday.

On March 25, when the bus taking Lilly and her schoolmates home after school crashed, the fifth grader started helping other students. On Wednesday night, she was honored by the Toms River Regional Board of Education with a leadership award.

The report from Toms River police at the time said the school bus crash happened about 4 p.m. on Bamberry Drive. The bus driver suffered a medical episode and hit a parked car and a utility pole, injuring a person who was in the car. None of the students on the bus were injured. Some were picked up at the scene of the crash by guardians, and a second bus was sent to transport students who were not picked up by guardians, police said.

Laurel Venberg, transportation director for the Toms River Regional Schools, said the video on the bus showed the driver up and walking around the bus, but she said he did not know where he was.

"He is home now and making progress," Venberg said.

Lilly, meanwhile "stepped up to make sure everyone was OK," Venberg said. "The kids who were crying, she patted them on the back."

McGrath said Lilly's response was a reflection of who she is every day at school.

"Lilly is a natural helper, a caring young lady," McGrath said. "Anything she does, she goes above and beyond."

Lilly is a stellar student academically, plays piano, participates in various sports outside of school, and is part of the safety patrol and the advanced math club at school.

"She and two friends are selling homemade slime to save the sea turtles," McGrath said. "Lilly is a role model to her peers."

"Lilly made sure every student on the bus was OK and not injured," the district said in the school board meeting agenda, "and comforted students who were scared, upset and crying until help arrived."

"When I got the call from Ms. Venberg, it was literally hard to hold back the tears," McGrath said.

"It was very compelling," Venberg said, choking up as she spoke.

"We are so lucky to have you," McGrath said as she presented the award and hugged Lilly, who received a standing ovation.

You can watch the video of the presentation here:

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