CHESTER, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - We turn now to developing news out of Chester, where a bus carrying elementary school students went missing for two hours Tuesday evening. According to one parent we spoke with, her sons’ bus typically arrives home around 3:45 in the afternoon.

When the bus had not arrived by 4 p.m. Tuesday, she called the bus company who told her the bus was running about 5 to 10 minutes behind schedule. she called back about 15 minutes later and received the same response. On her third call around 4:30 p.m., the company told her something very different. They didn’t know where the bus was and were unable to reach the driver.

That’s when the mother contacted police and authorities began an immediate search and issued a BOLO or a “be on the lookout” alert to help locate the vehicle. “They were worried, she drove erratically. She was lost and confused,” the mother told us.

Within the hour after the BOLO was issued, Russell Police officers found the bus on Route 20 in Chester, and made sure all students were safe and accounted for. Massachusetts State Police said the bus driver experienced a medical emergency and was brought to a nearby hospital. The students were sent home on a second bus, and the scene was cleared shortly before 6 p.m.

Western Mass News spoke with Lt. Sean Shattuck with the Russell Police Department. He explained what the children were like when authorities finally arrived, “the kids we’re doing okay, a lot of them we’re nervous but they weren’t excessively scared, they we’re warm the bus was running, but the kids definitely wanted to go home and the parents rightly so were very upset, very concerned,” Shattuck said.

In a letter shared with Western Mass News, Gateway Regional Superintendent, Melissa Matarazzo, said in part, “I am personally investigating each action that led to the result you experienced, which I understand was likely traumatic for you and your children. We want to ensure that an event like this does not occur again.”

The superintendent also stated that a counselor was available this morning for students who were negatively impacted by the experience to speak with.

Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.