A Montgomery County school bus was involved in a fatal collision with an 11-year-old girl on Thursday, Montgomery County Police said.
Police said the collision occurred at Russett Road and Bauer Drive in Rockville. Officers were dispatched to the scene at 3:13 p.m. for a report of a bus crash involving a bicyclist. They found the victim near the rear of the school bus.
The girl and the students on the bus were coming from Earle B. Wood Middle School, police said. No injuries were reported on the bus.
Many students witnessed the incident, and they are โreceiving the support that they need,โ Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor said.
โOn behalf of the school system, I want to express our deepest condolences to the studentโs family, friends, teachers, classmates,โ Taylor said. โNo words can truly capture the pain that our school community is feeling at this time. This is every parentโs worst nightmare and every educatorโs greatest fear.โ
County Executive Marc Elrich released a statement, mourning the childโs death, adding that the county โstands ready to support MCPS with counseling and any additional mental health resources needed through our Department of Health and Human Services.โ
โWhile we await the results of the investigation into this tragedy, I ask everyone to support the schools and communities impacted, and please give them the privacy and space they need during this incredibly difficult time,โ Elrich said.
In response to the incident, Bauer Drive was closed between Greenspan Lane and Myer Terrace.
The departmentโs collision reconstruction unit is on the scene. Police said no charges would be filed until the investigation is completed.
Crisis response teams were at the school, which is just two blocks away, and provided counseling and emotional support, Taylor said. Students who were on the bus were reunited with their parents.
This article has been updated.
Comments
Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines.