MEMPHIS, TENN. — A child has been sent to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in non-critical condition after being struck by a bus on Monday, authorities said.
The girl was downgraded from critical to non-critical when she arrived at the hospital. According to a statement from Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the girl was a student at Chickasaw Middle School. See the statement below:
“We are aware of a bus accident involving a Chickasaw Middle School student this morning. Our transportation team is assisting local law enforcement and First Student in the investigation and review of the incident. School bus transportation plays a critical role in education, and we encourage parents, students, teachers, and the community to keep school bus SAFETY at the forefront. Our thoughts are with the Chickasaw MS student and her family as she recovers.“
Jessica Holmes said she was preparing her kids for school when she heard a scream.
“I heard screaming out of the window, and I look out and see a woman jumping up and down, and I see a body on the floor,” Holmes said.
Reports indicate the girl was knocking on the door of the bus while trying to board it near Holmes and Valdaz.
Holmes said she immediately went to render aid to the child until paramedics arrived.
“I let everybody on the scene know that I’m CPR-certified,” she said. “We checked her pulse, and she’s fine. She’s breathing. She’s saying she’s hurt. The mom is kind of in shock.”
According to police, the child was then dragged by the bus and the driver did not remain on the scene.
“No one responded to her knocking and the bus drove off,” Holmes said. “In turn as he’s driving off, he’s dragging her down the street.”
Police said the driver did not realize anyone was hurt and continued driving. Police said the driver was stopped by police and advised of the incident. According to MPD, there were 11 children on the bus at the time of crash.
The school bus driver has been removed from service due to investigation, according to a “First Student” transportation agency statement.
MPD said an investigation is ongoing.
WREG will update as more information becomes available.
