6-Year-Old Boy Killed After Running in Front of School Bus During Drop Off

A 6-year-old first grader tragically died after being struck by a school bus near his Oklahoma City elementary school on Wednesday afternoon.

The child, who attended Fillmore Elementary, was hit just one block from the school around 3:15 p.m., local time, according to CBS affiliate KWTV, ABC affiliate KOCO, and The Oklahoman.

Police said the bus had been traveling east on Southwest 51st Street when three children got off. The 6-year-old reportedly ran in front of the vehicle as it turned south onto South Douglas Avenue. Despite efforts from first responders and medical staff, the child succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Orlando Bonilla, a neighbor who witnessed the aftermath, described the heartbreaking scene. “When I got here, I saw medics working on the child. He appeared, whenever they were putting him in the ambulance, that he was not moving. He wasn’t conscious at all,” Bonilla told KWTV. “It was devastating to see a child go that young.”

Another local parent, Michael Morgan, shared his sympathy. “I wouldn’t know how to take that if one of my kids was run over by a school bus like that. That is very sad and, like I said, I’m praying for the family.”

Oklahoma City Public Schools issued a statement saying they were “heartbroken” by the incident. “Despite the efforts of first responders and medical personnel, the student has passed away,” the district said. They added that counselors and additional support staff would be available for students and staff beginning Thursday.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, and fault will be determined as part of the probe, police said.