A tragic incident occurred yesterday afternoon in O'Fallon, Missouri, when a 10-year-old girl was struck and killed by a school bus. The Fort Zumwalt School District bus hit the child at around 3:45 p.m. near Lupine Court and Belleau Creek Road, just south of Interstate 70, as per the St. Charles County Ambulance District spokesperson. Kyle Gaines with the St. Charles County Ambulance District informed that paramedics arrived at the scene three minutes after the call was made at 3:48 p.m., but sadly, the girl was pronounced dead at the location. FOX2Now reported on the details of the accident.
The O'Fallon Police Department is conducting an investigation into the fatal incident, and they have stated on KSDK that the bus driver is "fully cooperating as the investigation progresses." Out of respect for the grieving family, they have refrained from releasing further information for the time being. "Our hearts go out to the family and all those affected by this devastating loss ... We ask for the community's understanding and respect for the family’s privacy as we work diligently to gather all information," the department commented in a post on Facebook. The bus made a turn at an intersection in the neighborhood when the girl was hit, according to police statements made available by KGNS.
Speaking to the profound impact of the incident on the community, Fort Zumwalt School District's superintendent, Paul Myers, said on FOX2Now, "Tonight our community is grieving. A family lost a child, a school lost a student, and our entire community feels this tremendous loss. At a time like this, there is no way to express the grief we all are feeling." In response to the tragedy, Myers announced that support and resources would be available at school today to help students, staff, and families cope with the loss. He urged the school community, "I am asking all members of the Fort Zumwalt community to please do what you can to support each other as we work through this difficult time," in a statement obtained by KSDK.
The feeling of shock and mourning resonated among the neighborhood's residents, one of whom, Mary Ann Schmitt, recalled the child with tears in her eyes, "We came outside after seeing all the flashing police lights from our windows. I believe the child sold me Girl Scout cookies. I don’t know her name, but yes I’m sure that was her What a sweetheart, She was a very nice girl," Mrs. Schmitt told KSDK in an interview.
