A mother is calling for urgent bus safety laws after her child dies. She wants bus shelters and speed limits.
Stella McMullan’s daughter was Caitlin Rose. The accident occurred on Hillhead Road in Castledawson as Caitlin came from school.
Stella got a letter from Michelle O’Neill, the First Minister. Stella felt she must act and wants bus shelters built. Better bus safety rules are needed, and cars elsewhere must halt for kids crossing. Stella wants increased speed awareness at bus stops to prevent future deaths.
Caitlin loved life. She enjoyed travel and having fun, and liked fashion and art a lot. Creating things was her passion, and she loved seeing the world with her mom.
Thailand held a special place in her heart, and they had visited nine times already. Their last trip was just in January, and they spent three weeks there together.
Many good memories exist, but sending a child to school feels safe. Knowing she won’t return is awful, and Stella lives near a busy road.
Caitlin had to exit the bus and stood on a grass verge. This road has a 60mph speed limit, and there were no sidewalks there.
Stella described the tragic day, stating that no bus shelter existed back then, and kids get dropped on a main road. The bus leaves quickly then, and Caitlin went behind the bus. A car came from the other side, and the bus blocked her view of it.
She stepped onto the road, but Caitlin did not see the car coming. She was then struck by the car, and a bus shelter could have protected her. Kids in rural areas face similar risks.
Drivers often pass stopped buses when kids exit. Stella had to do something after this, and she doesn’t want more families to suffer.
Passing a horse has a speed limit of only ten miles per hour. But cars can pass school buses at 60 mph, and Stella feels she must act to save lives.
She is grieving but feels action matters now. She doesn’t wish to wait and watch because more kids could die soon. She aims to do something now.
Some countries have flashing bus lights, and others use a “bus hand” signal. This arm stops cars when children get off, but Northern Ireland lacks these protections.
The community greatly supported the family, and many people came to their home. People traveled to pay respects to Caitlin.
First Minister O’Neill’s letter inspired action, and Stella felt it was her sign to act. She had to step up for Caitlin Rose.
She created the petition two nights ago, and it quickly gained 6,000 signatures. Others who lost children reached out, and something clearly must change. Stella wants to honor Caitlin’s memory.