A malfunctioning railroad crossing gate struck a Brevard Public Schools bus near the intersection of Hickory Street and NASA Boulevard in Melbourne on March 10, according to police and district officials. The incident occurred just after 3 p.m. when the gate arm came down onto the bus after a train had passed. The bus driver reversed off the tracks and called dispatch, following district protocol for damaged vehicles. No injuries were reported, though a side mirror broke off the bus and the gate was damaged.
BPS Chief Strategic Communications Officer Janet Murnaghan said the driver acted cautiously and appropriately. Officials reviewed bus footage, which they said 'entirely supports' the police account of the incident. The footage was not released publicly due to the presence of children, but the district confirmed it aligns with the driver's actions.
The incident highlights the risks of malfunctioning crossing gates, which must be reported to the Federal Railroad Administration. A department official said such malfunctions are common and require immediate attention. The train tracks in the area are part of a busy corridor near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with multiple crossings used daily by school buses and other vehicles.
Melbourne police have not yet released the full accident report or body cam footage, as FLORIDA TODAY’s records request was pending at the time of publication. Murnaghan emphasized that the driver’s response was in line with established procedures, and the district is working with authorities to address the gate’s failure.
The bus was later repaired and returned to service. No charges have been filed, and the investigation into the gate’s malfunction is ongoing. Local officials said they are reviewing safety measures at the crossing to prevent similar incidents.