911 call makes morning bus late; student OK
November 5, 2025 | By Lisa ScagliottiNote: This story was updated on Nov. 7.
A medical issue involving a student on the way to Brookside Primary School on Tuesday morning resulted in a Waterbury bus being late on its morning route and an ambulance being called for help. The student was treated and made it to school later that morning, according to school officials.
The incident happened on Bus 5 route to the primary school at approximately 7:20 a.m. A notice from the Harwood school district went out to families at 7:44 a.m. with an alert that the bus was running 20 minutes late. Buses drop students off at Brookside at approximately 7:20 a.m.
A follow-up message at 8:19 a.m. from the school district added that the same bus was running late getting students bound for Crossett Brook Middle School. The middle school has a later start time with students dropped off there at approximately 8:15 a.m.
Brookside Co-Principal Sarah Schoolcraft said the incident happened when the bus was on Perry Hill Road. First responders arrived within a few minutes in a private vehicle, followed by an ambulance, said Schoolcraft, who also went to meet the bus.
The student was treated for an injury and did not need to be transported to the hospital, school officials said. They did not share details about the nature or cause of the injury, but said that a parent picked up the student who arrived at school later that morning.
In a note to Brookside Primary School families afterward, Schoolcraft, fellow Co-Principal Chris Neville, and Harwood Superintendent Mike Leichliter, notified families about the incident and the action taken. “An ambulance arrived and provided care, and we are relieved to report that the student is doing well,” the message states.
School staff met the bus when it arrived to deliver the Bus 5 students at Brookside, the administrators said. “We understand that the incident may have been unsettling for students who were on the bus. School counselors and administrators were present at the school to receive the bus as it arrived and we will continue to follow up as needed,” their message explained.
Schoolcraft said the bus had about 20 students on it. Students in preschool through grade 4 attend Brookside Primary School.
The administrators thanked the bus staff and EMS crew. “We appreciate our transportation team and local first responders for their quick, professional response,” they said.