Bus Éireann has said a bus driver who died in a crash in Co Roscommon this morning worked for the company for over 30 years.
Eugene McGreevy, from Boyle, Co Roscommon who was aged 56, was fatally injured when the bus he was driving was in collision with a van.
He is the first school bus driver to be killed in the course of work with the Bus Éireann.
28 school children who were on bus escaped serious injury.
Three men who were in the Peugeot van are being assessed in Sligo General Hospital but their injuries are understood to not be life threatening.
A total of five ambulances attended the scene.
The crash happened near Elphin, at Drumnawoodan, Hillstreet Village, in Co Roscommon at around 8.30am.
The bus was transporting the post-primary students from Carrick-on-Shannon Community School when the incident occurred. If it had finished its run there would have been 40 pupils on board.
Erica Roseingrave, a Bus Éireann spokesperson, said the driver's prompt action today saved lives. She said he had an impeccable record and was the recipient of several safe-driving awards.
Bus Éireann expressed the company's condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the driver.
It is making counselling available. A helpline has been set up by Bus Éireann for members of the public - the number is 071 9160440.
Counselling support is also available through the NEPS scheme (National Educational and Psychological Services), according to school principal Joe O'Flynn.
