‘Precious’ 8-year-old fatally hit by school bus while riding bike, Mississippi cops say
An 8-year-old girl died after she was hit by a school bus in Mississippi, police said.
First responders “immediately began providing medical assistance” when they arrived at the crash around 4:20 p.m. on Oct. 2 in Madison, city police said in a news release.
Police Chief Gene Waldrop confirmed the child was riding her bike when she was hit, though it’s not clear what led to the crash.
Students getting off the school bus said they saw the girl “under the bus,” WLBT reported. A bike was also spotted near the back of the vehicle, the station said.
The child was rushed to the University of Mississippi Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and later died, police said. The Madison County coroner identified her as Jeanelle Fredericks, according to WAPT.
“The Madison County Schools family is heartbroken at the loss of a precious student in a tragic accident,” the district said in a statement posted on its Facebook page. “Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to the student’s family members and friends.”
Police didn’t release additional details but said the crash is under investigation.
Madison is about a 20-mile drive north from downtown Jackson.
This story was originally published October 3, 2024 at 3:08 PM with the headline "‘Precious’ 8-year-old fatally hit by school bus while riding bike, Mississippi cops say."