Hollywood actor, Matthew McConaughey’s latest survival drama, The Lost Bus, has not only won hearts but also aroused curiosity among viewers about whether the story is true or not. The gripping survival drama, is now streaming on Apple TV+, is based on the story of a bus driver who risked his life to save a group of schoolchildren trapped in California’s 2018 Camp Fire. While the film received widespread praise for its emotional depth, realism, and impactful performances, viewers are curious to know what really happened 7 years ago. Here’s everything you must know about it.
Is The Lost Bus based on a real incident?
Yes, The Lost Bus is based on a true story. The film is based on the real-life hero Kevin McKay, a school bus driver from Paradise, California. According to People, he rose to fame after he saved 22 children from Ponderosa Elementary School during the 2018 Camp Fire. It was one of the deadliest wildfires in US history, which burned for 18 days and destroyed over 150,000 acres of land. Moreover, it claimed 85 lives, and heroes like Kevin managed to save some crucial lives.
On that fateful day, Kevin’s quick thinking and courage guided the schoolchildren and their teacher to safety amid blinding smoke and a rapidly spreading fire. The incident became one of the most famous stories of bravery and humanity during the disaster. The film is also adapted from the 2021 non-fiction book, Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire. It was penned by Lizzie Johnson, who elaborated on how the small town of Paradise fought for its survival during the firestorm.
What did Kevin McKay say to Matthew McConaughey, portraying him on-screen?
Kevin McKay recently sat down for an interview with KCRA 3 and expressed his gratitude and surprise at who will play him on-screen. He revealed that when the Camp Fire took place, he was going through a challenging phase after losing his father. At the same time, his mother was battling stage 4 cancer, while his pet dog passed away. Amid that grief, he decided to stay strong for the kids who were his responsibility. Kevin, who now works as a high school teacher, appreciated the realistic portrayal of the incident and said:
“If you were going to throw a dart and pick the best actor, what a blessing it is to have somebody who can bring the seriousness and the emotion this character needs. The weight of this fire. I appreciated how the film narrated the story of the fire and the way everything felt that day.”
More about The Lost Bus
The Lost Bus is directed by Paul Greengrass, known for films such as United 93 and Captain Phillips. It features Matthew McConaughey as Kevin McKay and America Ferrera as schoolteacher Mary Ludwig, who maintained their calm to save children during the deadly fire. Some real-life survivors from the Camp Fire also made a brief appearance in the film to add authenticity. The Lost Bus was released on September 19, 2025, and has been streaming globally on Apple TV+ since October 3, 2025.
Do you think about Matthew McConaughey’s The Lost Bus realistically portrayed the heroic incident of 2018 Camp Fire?
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