Tragic Incident Strikes Sussex: Four-Year-Old Boy Fatality
On Thursday, January 2, a devastating tragedy occurred in Sussex, WI, when a four-year-old boy lost his life while returning to school. This unfortunate event was reported by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department (WCSD).
The victim has yet to be named publicly and was en route back to Willow Springs Learning Center following the winter holiday break. He was struck by a bus in the parking lot of Silver Spring Intermediate School, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
At around 8:37 a.m., authorities were alerted that a Dairyland-Hamilton bus carrying other students had collided with this kindergarten student. According to WCSD reports, “The 4K student was at Silver Spring Intermediate School for a transfer onto another shuttle bus bound for Willow Springs Learning Center.”
Currently, an investigation is underway regarding the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident. The WCSD stated that the bus driver is fully cooperating with investigators as they seek clarity on what transpired.
In response to this heart-wrenching incident, Dairyland-Hamilton Bus Company released an official statement expressing their condolences: “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the child involved and to everyone within the Hamilton School community. We are working closely with local authorities as they probe into this unfortunate occurrence.”
Waleed Edoud, a parent at Willow Springs Learning Center spoke with media outlets about how his five-year-old son witnessed part of this distressing event. “My son mentioned that right behind him was where it happened—another child got hit by that bus,” Edoud shared emotionally. “He’s traumatized; it’s hard for him as such a young child.”
Edoud elaborated on morning procedures stating: “There’s always a transfer between buses early in the morning which we have been critical about; younger kids exit while being supervised by chaperones from higher grades.”
Following these events, classes across all Hamilton School District institutions were canceled for Friday as educators dealt with repercussions from this tragedy. A letter addressed to parents informed them about loss within their school community and offered support services during these trying times.
“It’s tremendously saddening to announce such heavy news related to our educational setting,” excerpted from their letter according to Fox 6 News coverage. “We choose not divulge further details out of respect towards those affected.”
Acknowledging heightened emotional responses stemming from tragedies like these—which inevitably concern both students and families—the district mobilized its student services team immediately after learning about what occurred.
Furthermore, both Hamilton School District officials alongside representatives from Waukesha County’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team are available now more than ever for assistance during this difficult period.
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As of Thursday afternoon, requests made by PEOPLE seeking additional comments or details regarding investigations remained unanswered by officials representing either WCSD or Hamilton School District.
