Vulture crashes through bus windshield
BY KRISTINE COMAN ESCOTO - KESCOTO@SIERRASTAR.US
Bird with a reported six-foot wing span finds way onto a Yosemite Union High School District bus last week

KRISTINE COMEN ESCOTO
Yosemite Union High School District bus driver Sandy Dew was driving when a vulture crashed through the windshield of a district school bus and later died.

A large vulture hit a school bus traveling on Highway 41 last week breaking the windshield and causing minor injuries to the bus driver.
According to reports from the California Highway Patrol, a Yosemite Union High School District bus, driven by Sandy Dew, 43, was traveling southbound Highway 41 in Coarsegold to Yosemite Lakes Park Thursday, May 26 at approximately 3:30 p.m.

The vehicle was traveling at approximately 50 miles per hour and carrying approximately 40 students.

Without warning, a large vulture flew directly into the driver’s side of the windshield. The windshield broke under the pressure of the large bird.
The vulture continued through the broken glass, as Dew ducked to avoid being struck by the bird.

The bird, injured, but still alive, flew past Dew’s head and came to rest in a student’s lap seated directly behind Dew’s seat.

“I can’t tell you how bizarre this was,” Dew said. “I ducked when I saw the huge bird coming toward the windshield. The bird hit the top of my head, instead of my face. It really shook me up, but I managed to pull the bus safely off the highway.”

Dew brought the bus to a safe spot as quickly as possible and opened the door.

The students were able to force the bird out of the bus and onto the shoulder of the road where it succumbed to its injuries. Dew said the bird was approximately 10 to 15 pounds in weight and had a wing span of six feet.

“I’m amazed at the way Sandy handled the situation,” Yosemite High School Principal Steve Raupp said. “I happened to be in the area and was on the scene right after the unnerving experience occurred. Sandy’s first concern was for the kids on the bus. She is dedicated to the kids and her job. I’m also really proud of the way the kids responded. They were so concerned about Sandy’s well-being.”

Emergency personnel attended to Dew for a rapid heart beat. Because glass from the windshield flew five feet into the bus, students who were hit with broken glass had their eyes flushed. The bus sustained windshield damage only.

Dew said many parents and concerned citizens have called the school and her personal phone to thank her for getting the bus safely off the road, diverting a possible accident and taking care of their kids.

Students have given Dew thank you cards and expressed their love for their favorite bus driver.

“High school kids don’t get the credit they deserve,” Dew said. “The kids were so mature and handled the situation so well. They were so genuinely concerned for me.”

Dew said she is grateful for the job she has.

“I love the kids,” she said. “I am blessed to have such a wonderful job and great kids to interact with.”

Yosemite Joint Union High School District News