A school bus carrying students slid off the road in Frei, near Kristiansund, on Thursday afternoon. The students remained trapped inside for nearly four hours before rescue crews could transfer them to another bus. Police received notification of the incident around 5 PM, approximately two hours after it occurred. The bus operated by transport company Tide carried both middle school and high school students returning from classes.
One 14-year-old student described the uncomfortable conditions inside the stationary vehicle. "It wasn't fun. It was really hot, and we had no place to go," the student recalled. Several students reportedly became frightened during the extended wait. "Some people were crying and such. I was tired and weary," the student added.
Most students finally reached their homes around 6:30 PM, according to local reports. Police described the off-road incident as undramatic, noting the bus slid off the roadway at low speed. The transport company's regional manager issued an apology to affected passengers. He explained the driver had hoped to resolve the situation more quickly, but recovery efforts faced delays due to challenges accessing the site with tow trucks.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about student transportation safety in Norway's challenging winter conditions. Mountainous regions like Frei frequently experience difficult driving conditions during seasonal transitions. Norwegian authorities maintain strict safety protocols for school transportation, but unexpected incidents still occur.
Transport companies operating in Norway's western regions must navigate narrow coastal roads and rapidly changing weather. The four-hour delay in this case raises questions about emergency response coordination in remote areas. Local municipalities typically contract private companies like Tide for student transportation services across Norway's fjord-dotted landscape.
Parents and school administrators will likely review safety procedures following this lengthy ordeal. Norway's comprehensive student transport system generally maintains excellent safety records, yet isolated incidents test emergency preparedness. The psychological impact on young students trapped for hours remains a concern for educators and child welfare experts.
Transport authorities typically investigate such incidents to prevent recurrences. Norway's rugged terrain presents unique challenges for emergency services, particularly when specialized recovery equipment requires difficult access. The company acknowledged the driver's efforts to manage a stressful situation while prioritizing student safety throughout the extended wait.