Reith told CBS News Radio that the bus driver said Jordan pushed students to safety before she was hit.
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An Indianapolis school principal was killed on Tuesday, and two children were injured, when a school bus jumped a curb, officials said.
“They just loved her”, Indianapolis Fire Department spokeswoman Rita Reith told CNN.
The two wounded children, both 10 years old, were taken to hospital in serious conditions but were expected to survive. “The bus was not moving at the time directly before it jumped the curb”, she said.
“The bus driver told one of my firefighters that in the instant the accident occurred she saw the principal push several of the students out of the way of the bus so even up to the point of her losing her life today, she was there for the students and got them out of the way” Reith said.
The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, which is near Indianapolis, announced it would not hold classes Wednesday. “She was here every day, never missed a day of work – just a phenomenal individual that truly cared about children”.
Jordan worked at the school for 22 years, officials said.
According to the Indianapolis Star, the bus was carrying 25 students, none of whom were injured.
A police officer talks on the phone as he secures the site of a bus accident at Amy Beverland Elementary School in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016.
Amy Beverland is asking for children’s books to be donated to district school libraries in lieu of flowers.
With Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of “Over the Rainbow” playing in the background, the video begins with shots of Amy Beverland Elementary School students holding signs with words to describe the beloved educator: Friendly.
“As many of you already know I’ve been very close to the situation”, said Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier as he fought back tears.
The school board released a statement praising Jordan and everything she gave to her community.
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Indiana State Police investigated the school bus involved in the crash outside of Amy Beverland Elementary School yesterday, and they found nothing mechanically wrong with the bus.
