'Our daughters got on a school bus and never came home'


Caitlin-Rose (left) and Caitlin (right) both lost their lives when they were hit by cars after exiting school buses

The grief that follows the loss of a child means that Bob Hogg and Stella McGinn's families have more in common than either would have ever wished for.

Stella's daughter, Caitlin-Rose, and Bob's daughter Caitlin, whose middle name is Rose, both set off for school and never came home.

While the girls lost their lives two years apart, in different parts of the country, the circumstances are tragically similar.

Both died after being hit by a car when getting off a school bus. But as well as being connected by loss, both families have been united in their campaign to change the law to improve school bus safety across Northern Ireland.

There is no legal requirement anywhere in the UK for other vehicles to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off.

On Thursday, Stormont's infrastructure minister launched a consultation to get the public's views on proposed law changes designed to improve the safety of children travelling to and from school by bus.

Liz Kimmins' proposals include making it illegal to overtake a bus when it is stationary.

Last year, Mid Ulster Council passed a motion calling for law changes around bus safety.

SDLP councillor, Denise Johnston has supported some of the families in their campaign. "It's positive to see some progress around the law changes, but we now need to get it over the line," she said.

(BBC article continues)

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