SMITHVILLE, New York (WWNY) – Brayden Morse, a 16-year-old junior at Belleville Henderson Central School, was on the school bus involved in Thursday’s fiery crash.
An SUV hit the bus head-on on County Route 75 in Smithville, killing the SUV’s driver.
Even before help arrived, students took action, and Morse went back onto the bus to help two classmates.
Morse spoke about what happened.
“We all just were in shock. It was wild,” Morse said.
The crash
Morse was riding back to Belleville Henderson Central from classes at BOCES in Watertown. Sixteen students were on board.
The SUV, traveling at a high rate of speed, hit the bus head-on. The bus was crushed, the SUV caught fire and ambulances loaded injured patients.
“I saw the car coming at us full speed, and it was like, it was airborne when I saw it, and I just had, like, ducked, because it was like, my first instinct to brace myself for the impact,” Morse said.
Bus driver Kurt Gehrke was badly hurt. Students took action.
“There was adrenaline going through everyone’s body,” Morse said.
One student called 911.
Going back for a classmate
Morse got off the bus, then looked back and wanted to help a friend.
“I had looked up and I saw Landon covered in blood, so I ran back there, like, after I got off the bus, and everyone was off the bus. I ran back onto the bus to see if Landon was okay,” Morse said.
We asked him if there was any hesitation.
“No, as soon as I saw him, I rushed onto that bus because the flames were behind him,” Morse said.
Morse then realized another student was unconscious.
“She was covered in even more blood than him, soaked … and so I had picked her up and helped her get off the bus … carried her off,” he said.
Morse described what led him to act.
“For me, it was realizing that there’s more people who are in danger, like, there’s people in more danger than me, and I need to do something about that,” Morse said.
Fire department and parent react
In a Facebook post, the Smithville Fire Department credited students for helping other students.
“We are filled with profound pride and gratitude for the incredible bravery displayed by the students. In the face of pure terror, these young people knew exactly how to respond,” the post said. “They called 911, provided critical details to our dispatchers, and rendered immediate aid to their fellow classmates while maintaining composure under the most terrifying circumstances.”
The department also credited Gehrke. It said his quick, decisive actions saved lives and called him a true hero.
Morse’s mother, Brooke Morse, thanked first responders and said she’s glad her son knew what to do.
“I feel really proud. I think when you’re a parent, you try to teach your kid all of these survival techniques in life, and to know that he instinctually had that in him to not only help himself but help other people, I’m incredibly proud of him,” Brooke Morse said.
Injuries and investigation
Five students went to the hospital with minor injuries.
Morse said he was scared in the moment but is happy his classmates are out of the hospital.
“I knew that they would be okay, eventually. Landon’s a pretty sturdy guy, you know. You push him down, he’s probably gonna get back up,” Morse said.
Police said Gehrke is in a Syracuse hospital in stable condition. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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