What did the person who picked up and dropped off children at Gateway School, where a student died in a car, say?
On the evening of August 9, Ms. Nguyen Bich Quy, a Gateway school bus driver, said she had worked with Gateway school twice and had never had a contract.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Quy
According to the story, on the morning of August 6, after parking her motorbike at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, she got into the car of driver Doan Quy Phien. At around 6:40, the car picked up Long at Trung Yen Plaza Building, No. 1 Trung Hoa.
After picking up her grandchild from the family's maid, she put him in the car and let him sit in the second row from the back. At around 7:20, she opened both doors for the students to get off; because she was busy and focused on the two crying children getting off, Mrs. Quy pulled the door and forgot Long in the car.
“At that time, I couldn't control it and didn't count the number of children.”
After leading the children in, she should have taken the two crying children to the second floor and finished the job, but the children kept clinging and crying, so Mrs. Quy had to stay to feed them and then lead them straight to class.After writing and signing the handover of all 13 children (including Long) in the morning, Mrs. Quy went home.
According to Ms. Quy, the school did not check or count the number of students she signed. Only when she entered the classroom, the homeroom teacher took attendance and saw if there was a shortage did she report it to the school board.
At 4:30 p.m. the same day, she went to school to pick up and take the students home. That day, 3 children were picked up by their parents first, so according to Mrs. Quy's calculations, there were 10 children left but she only saw 9.Missing Long.
As she opened the car door, the students cried out that someone had died. "At that moment, my hands and feet were shaking and I couldn't do anything. A parent nearby ran to carry Long to the school's medical room."
Driver Phien and Mrs. Quy took all the children to school and then returned. Afterwards, Mrs. Quy and Mr. Phien were detained by the police for questioning and investigation.
Ms. Quy said that she had previously only worked as a janitor at a teaching center and had never received any training in child management or transportation. She had never had any contract or terms with the school or the bus company.
During the 2 days of the so-called trial period, the incident happened. Ms. Quy said that last year she had worked for Gateway School in the same job for 1 month, with a salary of 2.8 million VND and had not signed a contract. |
| The residence of Mrs. Bich Quy and her husband in Dich Vong ward. Photo: Pham Hai |
Since the incident, the school has only contacted Ms. Quy’s husband to introduce the hiring of a lawyer. The bus company requested a resume to make a contract. However, the family, represented by Ms. Quy’s husband, did not provide it for the bus company to do so.
“I am very sad about what happened because he was so young. Long was also very well-behaved. Meanwhile, some information said that I beat him. Why would I beat him? I am also very sad about his death, I can’t eat well, and I can’t sleep,” said Ms. Quy.
Ms. Quy added: When she opened the door, she saw the baby lying with his legs straight, perpendicular to the car body, right behind the driver's seat.
Ms. Quy said that no matter what, her responsibility is still the greatest, because she is in charge of picking up and dropping off, while Mr. Phien's main job is still driving.
The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Public Security to direct relevant agencies to urgently investigate and clarify the cause and responsibility of each individual and organization involved in the incident that caused the child's death, and strictly handle the case according to the law; the Ministry of Education and Training to direct the strengthening of measures to ensure school security and safety; provide specific guidance and regulations on student pick-up and drop-off services, ensuring quality and absolute safety for the children, and preventing similar incidents from recurring.
