Multiple Claims Emerge of Bus Driver Locking Children In Bus from Raymond Terrace Public School

Article updated 3:23pm Wednesday – Multiple parents have come forward and alleged that a school bus driver in the Raymond Terrace area locked students inside a bus on Tuesday afternoon, some children believing they were being kidnapped.

The alleged incident involved Bus 0051, operated by the Thornton depot of Hunter Valley Buses, and occurred on Tuesday 25 March 2025 shortly after school finished at Raymond Terrace Public School.

According to Georgina Croese, her children were among those on the bus. She said the driver yelled at the kids to “shut up”, then told them he wasn’t letting them off the bus and that they would “never see their parents again.” Croese said her 6-year-old was inconsolable for over an hour, and her children ran 600 metres home from the wrong stop after someone outside the bus allegedly activated the emergency release.

Croese also claimed that a parent had to walk some of the children home, and that teachers were called to collect others after the incident. “It makes me so sad that our children had to experience that and endure the trauma they have,” she wrote.

Donna Travalos confirmed her grandson was also on the bus, saying he arrived home hysterical and said the bus driver stated he wasn’t taking the kids home. She added, “My grandson is having trouble going to sleep, he is traumatised.”

Ashleigh Benacquista said, “Our children believed they were kidnapped and held hostage… My daughter didn’t think she was going to see me again.” She estimated that 15 to 20 children were affected, some of them as young as kindergarten, and many walked up to 3km home. She confirmed she had contacted the media and planned to raise the matter with the local MP.

Sharni Hyde described the situation as “scary as heck” and said her family now tracks the bus route via the NextThere app due to previous route confusion.

In response, Georgina Croese explained that the children were “yelling and carrying on like kids do” when the bus driver allegedly shouted at them to “shut up,”.

Jamie Lee said she witnessed children running down her street, crying and screaming, describing the event as “traumatising” and calling for the driver to be investigated.

Other parents were shocked and outraged, some saying their children are now too afraid to catch the bus. Bowen asked why the school hadn’t informed all parents and said the situation was “unbelievable.”

Several people indicated they had reported the issue to NSW Police and Hunter Valley Buses and were preparing complaints to the Minister for Education and Transport Ombudsman.

Georgina Croese said that police advised her to first contact the bus company and school before any further police involvement.

At 8:24am Wednesday a Transport for NSW Spokesperson said:

Any report of safety issues on our transport network, particularly involving children is concerning.

Transport is aware of a reported issue on a school bus yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 25 March) in Raymond Terrace.

The matter is now under investigation by the bus operator and pending the outcome may be referred to police.

The bus operator has confirmed the driver involved has been stood down pending further investigation.

At 3:53pm Wednesday NSW Police spokesperson said:

The Port Stephens-Hunter Police District has received reports of an incident on a school bus at Raymond Terrace yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 25 March 2025).

Inquiries into the incident are underway and officers are working to establish what occurred.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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