Pakistani driver escapes from burning school bus

It was a close shave for Pakistani driver Shamazn Gul who miraculously escaped from a burning school bus in Abu Dhabi last Wednesday.
The 38-year-old man told Khaleej Times that he jumped off the vehicle to escape the raging blaze that had engulfed the bus within a few minutes.
He was returning to his accommodation at 8am after dropping off students of the British International School on February 1 when the bus caught fire on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain highway.
"The fire was spreading rapidly and there was no time to think. I leapt out of the door to save myself. Within seconds, I could see the vehicle going up in flames," Gul said.
The driver said he first sensed a strong smell of petrol inside the bus and was looking for a safe parking area to check. "The next thing I knew there was fire coming from the front side of the bus, and the glass and other things were exploding inside," said Gul who has been driving the school bus for the last four years. "It was even difficult to breathe."
Gul had the presence of mind to pull down the bus safely near the Mazyad Mall in Mohammed Bin Zayed City before he leapt out. "I even tried to reach the fire extinguisher placed inside the bus but could not," he said.
Also read: Abu Dhabi school bus catches fire
Gul stopped another school bus plying on the road and used its fire extinguisher to control the flames.
The driver said what helped him to handle the situation was the mandatory emergency training he had received from the Emirates Transport training centre.
"I knew exactly what to do thanks to the training I underwent. I put in use all the tips I had learned on controlling fire and safety," said Gul.
After an accident involving two school buses in November last year that injured 47 people, the bus transport authority in Abu Dhabi had introduced a compulsory training for school bus drivers and conductors. The training teaches drivers to deal with emergencies and accidents, techniques on safe evacuation and passenger safety, according to Abdullah Al Madhani, the manager of the Emirates Transport training centre.
"I cannot thank God enough for sparing the students. But there is no doubt I would have put my life in danger to save the students if they were onboard," added Gul who is married with two children.
Shanawaz Buses Rental and Passenger Transport, which is operating the bus, said the cause of the fire is yet unknown,
"We operate nearly 200 school buses in the UAE. All our vehicles are well maintained and fitted with safety gears meeting the official requirements," said Bashir Khan, director of the Abu Dhabi branch of the company.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com