By JEFFREY HASTINGS, InDepthNH.org
MANCHESTER, N.H. — An eight-year-old boy was hospitalized Thursday after being struck by a school bus on Second Street near West Hancock Street, directly in front of Family Outfitters.
The incident occurred as the bus, carrying students from Parker-Varney School, was stopped in traffic. According to preliminary reports, the child was in front of the vehicle when the bus allegedly rolled forward at low speed, striking him.
At the scene, the child’s footwear remained scattered on the roadway, with one shoe pinned under the front driver’s side tire of the bus.
Emergency medical personnel evaluated the child at the scene before transporting him to Elliot Hospital. Due to the nature of the collision, a trauma alert was requested at the hospital as a precautionary measure. Responders reported that the boy remained conscious, alert, and breathing throughout the transport.
A second school bus was dispatched to the location to safely transfer approximately 12 students who were on board the original vehicle at the time of the crash. No other injuries were reported among the passengers.
First responders closed Second Street at the West Hancock Street intersection to facilitate the transfer of students and complete an initial investigation. Traffic in the area is expected to face delays as the road remains shut down for an extended period.