Audun Bøland
Died 16 February 2003
Who they were
Audun was a bus driver, married to Solhild and father of two. Almost 600 people – family, friends and neighbours – attended his funeral in Vang church. He was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Hero Fund's gold medal and named "Name of the Year" 2003 by Dagbladet.
What happened
On Sunday 16 February 2003, Audun was stabbed by a passenger while driving the Valdresekspressen north of Fagernes. Despite his injuries he brought the bus to a stop, allowing the 34 passengers to get out to safety. Earlier that day the attacker had killed a fellow resident at the Lundeskogen asylum centre. Valdres District Court found him legally insane and ordered compulsory psychiatric care, most recently extended in 2024.
Verdict / confirmation
Valdres tingrett 2003: compulsory psychiatric care; continued by Eidsivating lagmannsrett, Feb 2024.
Perpetrator: A 26-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker living at Lundeskogen reception centre (NRK).