Bus driver hailed hero for rescuing Sutton schoolgirl

Kerry Willetts (34) praised the kind actions of the bus driver of the 9.3 bus who went out of his way to ensure the safety of the 11-year-old.

Ashfield school pupil Lauren Pemberton got on the bus at Sutton bus station for the 10 minute journey home to Boar Hill Grove, Sutton.

But after 30 minutes she text her mum because she didn’t know where she was.

Mum Kerry said; “I just panicked and called her and told her to speak to the driver for directions. I didn’t know where on earth she was, she could have been on the way to Nottingham for all I knew. I don’t drive either so I was just worried how she would get back. And there are some dodgy characters around so I was worried for her safety.”

After ending up 10 miles away in Ripley - the bus driver did more than give her directions.

He drove her all the way back to Sutton, parked up and walked her to her door.

Kerry said: “I just couldn’t believe he would do that. He couldn’t actually get down our street with the bus so parked at the Mapplewells pub and walked her to the door. He is just amazing an amzing and kind person and want to thank him more. At the time I was just kind of shocked so didn’t thank him enough. He is a hero.”

She said Lauren was a little embarrassed about the whole incident.

See next week’s Chad for the reaction from the driver.