'Our daughters got on a school bus and never came home'

The grief that follows the loss of a child means that Bobb Hogg and Stella McGinn's families have more in common than either would have ever wished for.

Stella's daughter, Caitlin-Rose, and Bob's daughter Caitlin, whose middle name is Rose, both set off for school and never came home.

While the girls lost their lives two years apart, in different parts of the country, the circumstances are tragically similar.

Both died after being hit by a car when getting off a school bus.

But as well as being connected by loss, both families have been united in their campaign to change the law to improve school bus safety across Northern Ireland.

There is no legal requirement anywhere in the UK for other vehicles to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off.

On Thursday, Stormont's infrastructure minister launched a consultation to get the public's views on proposed law changes designed to improve the safety of children travelling to and from school by bus.

Liz Kimmins' proposals include making it illegal to overtake a bus when it is stationary.

Last year, Mid Ulster Council passed a motion calling for law changes around bus safety.

SDLP councillor, Denise Johnston has supported some of the families in their campaign.

"It's positive to see some progress around the law changes, but we now need to get it over the line," she said.

Caitlin-Rose McMullan was 11 years old when she died after being hit by a car in March 2025.

She was getting off a school bus, just metres from her home in Castledawson, County Londonderry.

BBC News NI previously spoke to Stella McGinn about how life would never be the same a year after losing her daughter.

Stella McGinn says that "it is about time" that there was some progress in improving bus safety laws, but she added that change needed to happen "urgently" before more families experienced "unimaginable pain".

"Things are still horrendous for me, her first anniversary just passed and that was really hard, I can't come to terms with the fact she's not coming home," she said.

"I don't want any other family to ever have to feel like this.

"We've just had Mother's Day, it'll be her birthday coming up next, every milestone is awful, my daughter should have come home to me that day."

Caitlin Hogg was 13 years old when she was hit by a car after she got off her school bus in County Fermanagh, in December 2022.

Her father Bob said the community in Kinawley was stunned by her death.

"She was our firstborn, the eldest of four and she was full of life and vibrancy and had such a positive influence on anyone she interacted with and had so much ahead of her in life."

Bob said he's encouraged by the consultation but wants to make sure it gets delivered.

"It's about more than the legislation, it's the awareness. The public need to have the context as to why this legislation is being introduced."

After their daughter's death Bob and his wife Rosemary reached out to politicians to raise the issue of bus safety.

"We wanted to see if there was an opportunity to bring some level of legislation in regarding school buses. In America and Canada, not only is it law, but it's engrained in the culture. So we felt that surely there's something that can be done.

"And then about two years after Caitlin's accident we heard the news of little Caitlin- Rose McMullan.

"It was very shocking to hear that the same thing had happened, an identical incident, where a young girl had disembarked a school bus and had lost her life in in in the same way."

In the aftermath, Bob reached out to Caitlin-Rose's mother Stella and both families have lobbied for a change in the law.

On Thursday the Department for Infrastructure set out its preferred options around law changes to improve bus safety.

This includes making it illegal to overtake a stationary bus "in clearly defined dangerous circumstances".

Police data shows that since 2020 almost 700 young people aged between four and 18 years old have been killed or seriously injured on Northern Ireland's roads during school term time.

Liz Kimmins said recent tragic incidents involving children had highlighted the risks that can arise when passengers are getting on or off buses.

The consultation will remain open until May 21 and is one of the first steps before the proposed laws go to Stormont committees and the Northern Ireland Assembly to be debated.

With an assembly election scheduled for May next year, there is a limited timeframe for ministers to ensure all legislation is passed.

Stella McGinn said she would be "angry" if improved bus safety laws were not passed within this assembly mandate.

She said: "To be honest I had expected it to already be done, so for me, it has to be done before the next election it's as simple as that, there's not another option.

"Because I honestly believe more children will die if these law changes aren't put in place, so I will continue to fight until its done."

BBC News NI asked Kimmins if she believed the proposed bus safety laws could be passed before the next election.

"It's secondary legislation so it doesn't require the same lengthy process as primary legislation does but I just hope people recognise how important this is," said Kimmins.

"I'm confident we can do it and I hope with the will of everyone involved, we can do this sooner rather than later."

Bob Hogg wants to make sure it doesn't fall off the agenda.

"I'm conscious that there's an election next year so there's limited time and for us and I'm sure for other families, it's so critical that this legislation is implemented. As soon as possible."