Don Siddall is being credited by police with saving lives and avoiding a tragedy after a crash between a tanker and a school bus outside of Chatham.
The 49-year-old from Wheatley has driven a tanker for Jack Smith Fuels in Tilbury for nine months and swerved to avoid t-boning a school bus at Jacob Rd. and Grande River Line Tuesday morning.
His tanker rolled over during the crash and wound up spilling 35,000 L of diesel in the ditch, but luckily, nobody was seriously hurt.
Siddall says he was raised right and did what he felt was the right thing.
"I didn't even know if there was any children on the bus. I was just trying to find somewhere to get the truck turned and hoped that I kept it on the wheels. But when I felt it going over, then I knew that I was in trouble and it was just a horrifying feeling," says Siddall.
The 60-year-old bus driver from Chatham was charged with failing to yield the roadway.
Siddall gave the bus driver a hug afterwards, asked if he was OK and says he tried desperately to miss the bus.
"I slept pretty good. I feel alright. I'm a little sore but nothing major. Yeah, I fell right to sleep, I was pretty wore out," Siddall says.
Siddall says he's glad the children are alright and thanks police, fire and paramedics for their quick and professional response.
"I've had close calls driving before, but never to what this was," Siddall says.
