A school bus ran over a four-year-old in Sussex, Wisconsin, and tragically killed him on Thursday morning. It was just one day after the kindergartener came back to school from the holiday break.
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According to the sheriff's department, the school bus hit and ran over the boy in the Silver Spring Intermediate School parking lot around 8:40 AM. Someone called the WCSD (Waukesha County Sheriff's Department) for help, but unfortunately, they couldn't save the boy.
Kindergartener Tragically Dies By School Bus
The K-4 student would typically go to Willow Springs Learning Center by taking a transfer bus to the parking lot. There, a shuttle was meant to take him to school.
A spokesperson from the Dairyland-Hamilton Bus Company released a statement to parents. "We offer our deepest condolences to the student's family, friends, and the Hamilton School community. Dairyland-Hamilton is fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate this tragic accident, and we are in ongoing communication with our district partners."
Parents are shaken, but so are the students. Waleed Edoud's 5-year-old child witnessed the horrifying incident. "During the transfer, my son said the kid that's behind him got hit by the bus and it just missed him. He's horrified. He's a little five-year-old."
Edoud continued to explain how every morning they do this bus transfer, which the parents hate. A chaperone from the middle school normally helps the youngest students.
Another parent of a K-4 student spoke up on how it was affecting his child. "She's been really quiet in the car, so I'm not sure what's she seen, yet, or anything," said Robert Hildebrandt. "It's pretty bad. Sad. I feel horrible for them."
"The cause of the accident is still under investigation," said the WCSD, "and the bus driver is cooperating fully with the investigation." In response to the tragedy, the Hamilton School District canceled classes on Friday for all its eight schools.
"It is with extreme sadness that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community," the letter to parents read, as Fox 6 reported. "Out of respect for the family, we are not sharing additional information at this time. Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to this student's family.
"We understand tragedy is sure to raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our entire school community, especially our students. Our student services team immediately began working with students and staff at several buildings this morning and will continue to provide support during this difficult time."
