Mother Demands Action After Daughter's Death

A year after her 11-year-old daughter Caitlin-Rose McMullan died, Stella McGinn is urging immediate action on school bus safety laws. Caitlin-Rose tragically passed away in March 2025 after being hit by a car while exiting her school bus in Castledawson, County Londonderry. Ms. McGinn emphasized that legislative changes are long overdue, stating, "How many children are going to get killed or hurt going to and from school before changes are made?"

Currently, Northern Ireland does not mandate that other vehicles must stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children. The Department for Infrastructure has indicated plans to introduce legislation prohibiting overtaking school buses at stops. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins stated that while a dedicated team is reviewing the issue, further announcements regarding school bus safety are expected in the coming weeks.

Tragically, Ms. McGinn remembers the incident as if it were yesterday, describing her daughter as a vibrant young girl with her entire life ahead of her. Caitlin-Rose was reportedly "blindsided" when she exited between two buses and could not see oncoming traffic. Safety concerns and calls for legislative reform have persisted for over two decades, intensifying significantly since Caitlin-Rose's fatal accident.

Medical professionals and transport authorities have highlighted the severity of such incidents. A consultant at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children noted frequent admissions of children injured by school buses. Translink reported 13 injuries and one fatality between 2020 and 2025 involving individuals struck by vehicles near buses. The Education Authority confirmed its buses are equipped with safety features like flashing lights and signage, and they actively promote road safety messages.