Sat. Oct 25th, 2025


In a quiet suburban neighborhood, what began as a normal school morning nearly turned into an unimaginable tragedy. But thanks to one quick-thinking mother, a group of children is alive and safe today.

The incident happened just after 8 a.m., as parents watched their kids board a school bus headed for a nearby elementary school. Moments later, smoke began billowing from the back of the bus. Neighbors described the scene as “like something out of a movie” — calm one second, chaos the next.

Without hesitation, a mother standing nearby rushed toward the bus. According to witnesses, she didn’t even stop to think. “She just ran,” said one neighbor. “The moment she saw the smoke, she was already pulling the kids out.” Within seconds, flames began to spread through the vehicle, but her quick actions made all the difference.

Doorbell footage from the neighborhood shows the mother stepping out of her front yard, sprinting toward the smoking bus, and yelling for the driver to open the door. When the door jammed, she helped force it open while shouting for the children to hurry out. One by one, they escaped, some crying, others frozen in fear — but all safe thanks to her bravery.

Emergency services arrived shortly after, and firefighters quickly put out the flames before they reached nearby homes. Officials later confirmed that the fire began in the engine compartment, likely due to a mechanical fault. The driver and all passengers made it out unharmed.

The local fire department has since praised the mother for her courageous response, calling her “a true community hero.” In a public statement, they emphasized how her swift decision-making prevented what could have been a devastating loss. “If she had waited even a minute longer, the outcome could’ve been very different,” the fire chief noted.

As the story spread online, thousands of people flooded social media with comments of gratitude and admiration. “That mom deserves a medal,” one user wrote. Another added, “It’s amazing what a parent’s instinct can do under pressure.”

For the families involved, the relief is immeasurable. Parents who had just waved goodbye to their kids minutes earlier are still shaken but overwhelmingly thankful. “She saved our children,” said one tearful parent. “We’ll never forget what she did.”

The mother, whose name has not been released at her request, says she doesn’t see herself as a hero. “Any mom would’ve done the same,” she said humbly. “I just reacted. There was no time to think.”

In a world where ordinary moments can change in an instant, this story serves as a powerful reminder of courage, instinct, and the strength of a parent’s love. One woman’s fearless decision turned potential heartbreak into hope — and for an entire community, that makes her nothing short of extraordinary.

@fox9mn

A quick-thinking mom helped avert a potential tragedy when a bus caught fire in East Bethel. Kari Thorp noticed flames near the bus tire, and immediately alerted the driver. Her quick actions ensured that all the children and the driver got off the bus safely. A week after the incident, the community came together to express their gratitude. They presented the bus driver with a “thankful basket” and surprised Thorp with one as well.

♬ original sound – FOX 9 | KMSP – FOX 9 | KMSP

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