OREANDA-NEWS. On April 21, 2009 AB Mazeikiu Nafta honored and awarded seven schoolchildren of Laizuva School, Mazeikiai district, who happened to be involved in the dramatic bus fire accident on 27 March, reported the press-centre of Mazeikiu Nafta.

On the way home the schoolchildren of Laizuva Antanas Vienazindis Basic School have been trapped in the ditched Bus PAZ that was on fire. Nobody could open the bus door. In a moment Tomas Karpis, a 10th former, and Audrius Paulauskas, a 9th former, broke the window of the bus on fire and helped the younger passengers (the youngest one was 6 years old) to get out of it.

The schoolchildren and the escorting schoolmasters met the General Director of AB Mazeikiu Nafta Marek Mroczkowski. The ones involved in the accident were given the personal presents. Two schoolchildren who rescued the passengers were given iPod players. The youngest child who lost his/her school back during the fire was given the new one with all the required school items inside. 

A tour in the refinery was organized for these schoolchildren. They also met the fire brigade of the company, i.e. the employees of Fire and Rescue Service for AB Mazeikiu Nafta.   They described their job and demonstrated how some of the fire extinguishing techniques function.

“Schoolchildren saved not only their own lives but also rescued other people, made a heroic achievement and we are proud of them. This is an example for everybody to follow.”, - said Rosvaldas Gorbaciovas, Director of Public Relations.

He also said that the Company was always seeking to maintain the responsible relations with the district community, was supporting and participating in its various projects.