Dramatic bus accident

Austrian saves the lives of 26 students

Austrian Marie Therese Gumpert became a hero in September 2022 with a rescue operation during a bus accident in England.

(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

Austrian Marie Therese Gumpert (24) became a hero in September 2022 with a rescue operation during a bus accident in England. Now she has been honored by the British police for her outstanding courage. 

"In recognition of exceptional bravery, outstanding action or when a person's actions go far beyond what is normally expected." The words addressed to Marie Therese Gumpert at a ceremony in England on Monday were touching.

The reason for the "Chief's Constable's Commendation" from the British police: the 24-year-old, whose family comes from Lower Austria, saved the lives of 26 students.

By the time the rescue team arrived at the damaged bus, the Austrian had already evacuated all 26 students from the sea of broken glass.

(Bild: zVg oder privat, Krone KREATIV)

"Suddenly the bus veered sharply to the right"
Sunday, September 5, 2022: After studying law, Marie Therese Gumpert began working for her university. Her job was to pick up young US students from London's Heathrow Airport and take them to their accommodation. That Sunday, she also accompanied 26 young men and women.

On the M25, the busiest highway in England, she noticed the bus pulling sharply to the right. "I held on tight and shouted to the back: 'Watch out, hold on where!", Gumpert describes the dramatic scenes to the "Krone".

A firefighter was the first to tell me that I was a hero. That made me cry.

Marie Therese Gumpert zur „Krone“

"The rear window literally exploded"
The driver had suffered a fatal heart attack behind the wheel and the bus crashed into a concrete crash barrier. The Austrian woman jumped behind the wheel and managed to stop the bus after a second contact with the crash barrier. Glass panes were shattered, a cell phone flew out of the bus and luggage flew back and forth in the vehicle. But apart from minor scratches, all 26 of their charges were unharmed.

Late recognition for lives saved
She simply did what she thought was right, says Marie Therese Gumpert today. It was only when helpers called her a hero and the chief of police suggested that she could receive an award for her courage that the 24-year-old realized what she had achieved.

Marie Therese Gumpert was honored as a heroine.

(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

In a festive ceremony attended by her mother, the Austrian Honorary Consul of San Marino, the Austrian finally received recognition for saving 26 lives.