Off-duty NYPD officer recognized after saving mini bus driver, aide in fiery crash

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Police Commissioner William Bratton recognized the heroic efforts of an off-duty NYPD transit officer who pulled two people from a burning mini bus on the Long Island Expressway.

He called Officer Christopher Canale a hero "on duty and off".

"The first thing I'm thinking is that there are children inside the bus," said Officer Christopher Canale, NYPD Transit Division.

The sight of a mini school bus on fire is enough to terrify anyone. And when Officer Christopher Canale got out of his car and ran toward the column of thick, black smoke, he feared the worst.

How many children? And what will it take to save them all?

"It was my biggest fear, I have two kids of my own, and it was, it was a big concern. So I ran on to the bus," Officer Canale said. "And I heard someone screaming on the front of the bus, and it was, it was the driver who was pinned inside of the bus."

He quickly learned there were no children, but there was a driver and a bus matron, and the smoke was getting thicker.

"The bus was pushed in, so the flames that were there in the engine were real close to his feet and the smoke was just billowing in and it was very tough to breathe," Officer Canale said.

Officer Canale got both of them out just minutes before the entire bus erupted in flames.

It happened right on the Long Island Expressway near Exit 70 in Manorville.

The bus had just left Riverhead to pick up children in Bellport, when police say it slammed headlong into a box truck, disabled in the right lane.

"The actions of the off-duty police officer who rescued our employees yesterday at great personal risk to himself are selfless and heroic," the school district's superintendent said, "On behalf of the entire school district, I cannot thank him enough."

Officer Canale has been on the force for eight years, assigned to the Transit Division.

Friday, he was honored by Commissioner William Bratton.

He was off-duty and on vacation with his family at the time of the crash. The photos of the fire were taken by his wife.

"They must be so proud of you," Eyewitness News said.

"They are, yes, they're very proud," Officer Canale said.

And they're not the only ones.

"Chris does great work while he's on duty and now he's heroic off-duty. We're very proud of you," an NYPD official said.

The aide suffered minor injuries; the driver apparently refused medical attention.