Indianapolis Principal Hailed As Hero After Fatal Bus Accident

An Indianapolis principal was remembered for her love and dedication to children Wednesday after authorities said she pushed students out of harm’s way before she was killed by a school bus.

About 1,000 people attended a vigil Wednesday for Amy Beverland Elementary Principal Susan Jordan at a local church, according to the IndyStar.

“Susan was wonderful,” Patricia Officer, whose son attended the school, told the IndyStar. “The children really loved her. It really affected our community.”

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, and Amy Beverland was scheduled to miss a second day of school Wednesday.

“Susan was an amazing educator,” a statement from the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township said. “She had a remarkable way of making everyone she came in contact with feel valued and important. She had a passion for children that is unmatched.

“The entire Lawrence Township Community mourns her loss and extends our sympathy to the Amy Beverland Community the multitudes of people whose lives she touched.”

Jordan had served as the school’s principal for nearly 20 years.

“It didn’t surprise any of us Susan would sacrifice herself,” Denna Renbarger, a district official, said.

It is still unclear what caused the school bus to suddenly lurch forward and jump the curb, but the driver told firefighters that she saw Jordan push “several students out of the way,” before she was killed, the Associated Press reported.

Two children were taken to the hospital and were in stable condition, a hospital spokesperson told Patch.

The driver was described as a “model employee” and showed no signs of impairment after the accident, according to the IndyStar. The bus also had passed its most recent inspection, the IndyStar reported.