Boy struck by school bus in New Jersey, later dies

WATERFORD, N.J. — An investigation is ongoing into an incident in which a 6-year-old boy was struck by a school bus on Monday morning and died a short time later.

Authorities have not issued many details about the incident, but according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the unidentified bus driver has not been charged, the Courier-Post reports.

“It appears while the bus was stopped to pick up children, the victim began walking around the front of the bus,” the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said, according to the newspaper. “When the vehicle began moving forward again, it struck the child.”

Edmond Bock was struck shortly before 8:30 a.m., and he was pronounced dead at 9:15 a.m. at a hospital. The boy’s mother, Candice Bock, witnessed the incident.

Waterford Township School District Superintendent Newlin Schoener said in a statement on the district’s website on Monday that counselors and administrators from the district were at the school the boy attended to meet with students and staff. No details were shared with children, but Schoener said arrangements were made to have counselors talk to each classroom at Atco Elementary School on Tuesday.

Counseling services would also be made available throughout the district to any students or parents, and resources on dealing with tragedy and helping children cope with loss were posted on the district’s website.

Schoener called the incident a “great tragedy” that “breaks the heart of every parent and staff member of Waterford Township."

“At this time we do not have the full details of how this accident occurred,” he added. “The local law enforcement is conducting the investigation. Out of respect for the persons involved, we ask that families refrain from speculating as to what occurred.”

Schoener told the Courier-Post that the bus driver was a substitute for Hillman’s Bus Service Inc. with 25 years of experience.

“As of right now we are treating this as a tragic accident,” Hillman’s Bus Service Inc. Manager Dan Hillman told the newspaper. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”