Parents of Boy Killed in Bus Crash Show Grace for Driver

The parents of a 12-year-old boy killed in a devastating bus accident at a level crossing in Buggenhout, East Flanders, have spoken publicly for the first time, expressing their grief while showing remarkable compassion for the driver who also lost his life. Arthur Mherian, a Ukrainian refugee who had fled the war with his family, was one of four people killed when a school minibus was struck by a train on 26 May 2026.

A Tragedy That Shook a Community

On the morning of 26 May, a school minibus operated by ‘t Ros Beiaard under subcontract for De Lijn was crossing the Vierhuizen level crossing on Stationsstraat in Buggenhout when it was hit by a train traveling from Bruges to Mechelen at approximately 90 km/h. According to Euronews, the barriers were down, red lights were flashing, and the bell was sounding at the time of the collision. The train driver attempted an emergency brake but could not avoid the crash.

The collision killed four people: the bus driver Noureddine Zerrouak (49), a father of five; bus supervisor Anke Robrecht (27); and two students — Arthur Mherian (12) and Mohamed Reda (15). Five other children were injured and taken to hospital, though their lives were not at risk. Around 100 train passengers were evacuated, none of whom were injured.

Infrabel spokesperson Thomas Baeken described it as “one of the worst accidents in the history of Belgium at a level crossing.”

A Mother and Father’s Unthinkable Grief

In an emotional interview with De Morgen published on 6 June, Arthur’s parents spoke about their devastating loss. Arthur was a Ukrainian refugee who had sought safety in Belgium with his family after escaping the war in Ukraine. His parents’ trauma is compounded by the cruel irony that they lost their son in the very country they had fled to for protection.

Despite their grief, Arthur’s parents expressed striking compassion for the driver. “The bus driver was father of five children. I don’t want to wrongly accuse him,” they told De Morgen, demonstrating a grace that has moved readers across Belgium.

Systemic Failures Come to Light

In the days following the accident, VRT NWS published an investigative report revealing that multiple complaints had been filed about the driver’s behavior over several years — up to six years prior to the crash. Former bus supervisors reported reckless driving including phone use while driving, crossing railway tracks while barriers were lowering, excessive speeding, and failing to give way.

“Nothing was done with the complaints. We were told there were no other drivers available,” one former supervisor told VRT NWS. Another said: “Did I feel safe? No. No, no. I’d rather a bus stay parked than have an irresponsible driver behind the wheel.”

One mother reported that her son was so afraid of the driver’s behavior that she had to drive him to school herself. Children were reportedly vomiting from the reckless driving and refusing to board the bus.

Complaints were made to the school, the bus company, and provincial authorities, but the response was consistently that no other drivers were available. The driver had a clean criminal record according to De Lijn, with only two minor speeding violations known.

A Second Incident Raises Further Questions

Days after the fatal crash, The Brussels Times reported that another bus from the same company, ‘t Ros Beiaard, allegedly ran a red light at the same level crossing. An internal email sent to drivers on 29 May confirmed the incident, though it remains unclear whether it occurred on Thursday or Friday. Infrabel reviewed footage from peak hours on those days but found no infringements; recordings outside peak hours are still under examination.

Investigation and Accountability

The East Flanders prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the accident and has confirmed awareness of the prior complaints. The prosecutor’s office is investigating whether those complaints were properly handled and who, if anyone, bears responsibility for failing to act on repeated warnings about the driver’s behavior.

Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden expressed her “heartfelt sympathy” for all victims, their families, and everyone affected by the tragedy.

What Comes Next

The Buggenhout bus accident has evolved from a breaking news story into a deeper examination of systemic failures in school transport oversight. Questions remain about why the driver proceeded onto the crossing despite active warning systems, whether the prior complaints were properly investigated, and what changes will be implemented to prevent similar tragedies. The investigation continues, and the full accountability for this tragedy has yet to be determined.