Watch Minnesota Bus Driver Avoid Horrific Head-On Crash With Semi

It's easy to take for granted that, day after day, a bus ride is a safe way to get your kids to school and other events.

While we hear far too often about drivers driving through an extended stop sign when a bus has its flashing on to let kids off the bus, it's not often at all that we hear of kids being put in jeopardy while actually riding the bus.

However, the unthinkable almost happened recently in Minnesota and if it wasn't for the quick action of the heroic bus driver, this would be a tragic story. That driver, and those he was transporting, had angels on their shoulders on this day.

Minnesota Bus Driver Narrowly Avoids Head-On Crash With Semi-Truck

According to reports, including a story by FOX 9, on the morning of Wednesday, February 5, bus driver Brian Lathrop was driving an Onamia, Minnesota school bus on Highway 169 north of Shakopee Lake Road.

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On board with Lathrop at the time were a kindergartner, a 3rd, 4th, and 7th grader along with three paraprofessionals. It looked to be a normal drive until, seemingly out of nowhere, a semi-truck suddenly appeared and it was heading straight at the bus.

A devasting and likely deadly head-on crash seemed inevitable, but Lathrop acted quickly and decisively to avoid tragedy. The semi ended up sideswiping the rear passenger side of the bus and while two students did suffer minor injuries, it could have been so much worse.

You can see the situation unfold below in a video captured by the dashcam installed on the bus. It shows how quickly things can take a dangerous turn when driving and how important to be alert and not distracted while driving.

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In an interview with FOX 9, Lathrop says he doesn't feel like he's a hero, he was just doing his job. However, the school district and law enforcement, who say his action likely saved lives, believe he is a hero and he will recognized at the next Onamia school board meeting.