Man Rode Bensalem School Bus Before Being Removed: School Officials

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —A man wearing a hooded sweatshirt, backpack and medical mask boarded a school bus that was headed to Bensalem High School Friday morning, school officials said.

The adult boarded the bus around 6:40 a.m. Friday before Bensalem Township Police intercepted the bus and removed the subject. At no time was there any interaction between the students and the subject, the school district said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

Action News 6 reported that a Philadelphia man boarded the bus at Brownsville Road and Weldon Avenue and sat alone.

Police told Action News that the man, 40-year-old Elliott Smith Jr. was charged with unauthorized school bus entry.

Bensalem Township Police did not issue a press release regarding the incident. A request Saturday seeking more information was not returned.

The school district said a student communicated with their family about "the unwelcomed passenger." The family notified our Transportation team who called 911. Existing safety processes and protocols were enacted in collaboration with Bensalem Township Police, the school district statement said.

"Communication with the BHS Community and direct communication with the families of the students on the bus continues as part of this investigation," the district said. "As always, our number one priority is to make sure our students and staff are safe."

The school district said it would not comment further since the incident was an active investigation.