A school bus outside an Indianapolis-area elementary school jumped forward and hopped a curb on Tuesday, suddenly driving toward students waiting outside. Their principal, Susan Jordan, shoved them out of the way.
The students were sent to a hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.
Amy Beverland Elementary school and education officials around Indianapolis paid tribute to Jordan on Tuesday as they mourned the loss of a beloved educator.
"We are talking about a legend," Lawrence Township Schools Superintendent Shawn Smith said at a press conference after the accident.
Students at Jordan's school put together a tribute video in May in which they describe her as "determined," "positive" and "awesome."
Police said the bus driver didn't seem impaired at the time of the accident. They'll test the driver's blood to check for any signs of drugs or alcohol, which is common practice.
The driver said she didn't know why the vehicle lurched forward, but said she watched Jordan push kids out of the way.
Jordan, 69, had been principal at the magnet school for 22 years.