Funeral details released for tragic bus driver after shocking death on school run with 40 pupils on board

On Funeral Times a family statement says father-of-five John McSORLEY from Keady, Co Armagh died on February 17 ‘unexpectedly (in a R.T.A)’.

His funeral will be held on Sunday at St Patrick’s Church Keady for 11:30am funeral Mass.

There will be burial afterwards in the church cemetery.

The death notice adds that his death is ‘deeply regretted by his children, sisters Elizabeth, Maura, Deirdre, Philomena, Barbara, Antoinette, Jessica and Sheila, brothers Hugh and Stephen, nieces, nephews and the entire family circle and many friends’.

On Tuesday afternoon police received a report of a single vehicle road traffic collision involving a bus on the Tullyagh Road, Belleek.

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty said that “thankfully around 40 of them (school children) all walked away from the scene and are home”.

The Quinns Coach had been travelling from St Paul’s High School towards Whitecross.

The PSNI added that it is being treated at this stage as a “sudden death”.

Five ambulances, two advanced paramedics, one officer and an ambulance doctor attended the scene to treat patients.

Quinn Coaches have thanked “the students on board our coach for their bravery, calmness and quick thinking in the moments after the incident”.

‘The incident’ was when their vehicle crashed on Tuesday afternoon and their bus driver died.

In a statement Quinn Coaches said: “Following Tuesday’s tragic events, we would like to sincerely thank the students on board our coach for their bravery, calmness and quick thinking in the moments after the incident.

“Their courage in helping one another and supporting their classmates showed remarkable strength and compassion.

“We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents who responded so quickly and supported their children with such care and composure.

‘Our deepest thanks go to the emergency services who attended the scene.

“Their swift response, professionalism and dedication ensured that help was provided without delay, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.

“Finally, we are profoundly grateful to everyone in our Quinn Coaches team, family, friends, neighbours and the wider community for the overwhelming support, kindness and condolences shown.

“Your prayers, messages and kind gestures have brought great comfort at this time.

“Please continue to keep John, his family and all those affected in your thoughts and prayers. Phelim and Conleth Quinn.”

Messages of sympathy have been posted underneath the latest update:

• ‘J&K Coaches

  We are so sorry to hear about what happened. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to yourselves, Johns work colleagues and family and friends at this sad time. May he Rest In Peace’

• Donna Douglas

  ‘Very sad to hear about the bus driver i hope his family get some comfort of how johns quick thinking saved all the children in the bus god bless them’

• Cecila Bromley

  ‘Bravery and compassion shown by all, truly humbling’

  .