A routine Tuesday morning turned into a nightmare for one Indiana family. Kaydence Helfert, a 13-year-old seventh grader, had just stepped off her school bus at Grandin Pointe Mobile Home Park in Vanderburgh County. As she bent down to adjust her backpack in the parking lot, another school bus turned around and struck her, dragging her underneath the vehicle. She was airlifted with catastrophic injuries, including a severe pelvic fracture, a dislocated hip, and internal damage. She remains sedated at Riley Children’s Hospital, facing more surgeries.
Her mother, Angela Kay, is staying by her side, three hours away from home. In an interview with local media, she said, “I know that she’s never going to have a normal life again. That’s our main concern right now is just getting her back to good health. Whatever normal can be.” The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation said in a statement, “Our primary concern is the well-being of our student who was involved in yesterday’s accident.” The bus driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. No charges have been filed yet, and impairment is not believed to be a factor.
This story resonates far beyond Indiana. Parents here on the Suncoast send our kids off to school every day, trusting that they’ll be safe. But this tragic accident raises tough questions about bus stop safety in residential areas. Are our kids taught to watch for moving buses even after they step off? Are bus routes designed to avoid turning around in tight, populated spaces? Take a moment to talk to your kids about bus stop safety. Where do they wait? Is there a spot away from the road and any parked vehicles? Share your thoughts with us.<
