School Bus Drivers Praised For Taking Action After Joplin Tornado

When a powerful tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011, it created a logistical nightmare for emergency workers. Fortunately, school bus drivers jumped in to help the city in its time of need.

Bill Hales and Tim Wright drove their school buses down debris-filled streets. They shuttled hospital patients to emergency shelters and became ambulances for the injured. Wright says he will never forget one passenger.

Joplin Tornado Timeline

"She just hobbled up and she talked with my son. And you just felt there wasn't a whole lot you could do, but you try to do what you could do," Wright said.

Wright and Hales say they worked for 10 straight hours. They were two of about a dozen bus drivers who spent several hours transporting patients and medical supplies after the May 22 tornado.

05/21/2012 Related Story: Joplin Students Remember Deadly Tornado That Killed Classmates