Hero bus driver stops couple 'who planned to shoot schoolchildren and teachers'

A bus driver's heroic actions helped stop an armed couple opening fire on schoolchildren and teachers, police say.

Adam Conley, 38, and his girlfriend Kathryn Jeter, 29, were spotted with a multitude of firearms at South Macon Elementary School in North Carolina on Thursday.

Police said the couple were prepared to start shooting students and staff "if it was God's will".

The suspects charged at school bus driver Alice Bradley shortly after 5am with loaded weapons.

But she managed to run to her car and drive towards the couple, prompting them to flee.

After Bradley alerted police, the pair were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a host of other charges.

After Bradley alerted police, the pair were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a host of other charges.

Conley and Jeter are also accused of shooting and stabbing a cat that was found dead on the school premises.

"Her actions changed the course of the events that took place," Sheriff Robert Holland told a press conference.

He added: "We are very blessed this could have been a very different outcome."

But Ms Bradley - who has driven buses for Macon County for nearly 30 years - has played down her actions, telling ABC News: "Everyone's saying I'm a hero - I'm not a hero. I just reacted like anyone else would."

Police later said Conley was now facing additional charges after allegedly trying to stab a prison officer in the stomach "with an eating utensil".