Child Hit By Montgomery Co School Bus Dies

ASPEN HILL, MD — An 11-year-old girl riding a bicycle died after being struck by a Montgomery County Public Schools bus in the Aspen Hill area Thursday afternoon, police said.

The crash was reported at 3:12 p.m. at the intersection of Russett Road and Bauer Drive. Montgomery County police officers and Fire and Rescue crews responded. The victim's name has not been released.

Children were on board the school bus at the time of the crash, but no injuries were reported on the bus, police said.

The accident happened near Earle B. Wood Middle School, WTOP reported.

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor spoke at a news conference.

“We are so deeply saddened by this news, exponentially saddened. On behalf of the school system, I. want to express our deepest condolences to the students, family, friends, teachers and classmates," Taylor said, according to WTOP. "No words can truly capture the pain that our school community is feeling at this time. This is every parent’s worst nightmare and every educator's greatest fear.”

Police said the bicyclist killed was a girl who lived in the area.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich called the student's death tragic and noted the entire county is grieving.

“We should also remember the other children who were on that bus and the trauma they experienced. They, too, need our collective compassion and care," Elrich said in a statement.

The county will support the school system with counseling and any additional mental health resources needed through its Department of Health and Human Services, he said.

"While we await the results of the investigation into this tragedy, I ask everyone to support the schools and communities impacted, and please give them the privacy and space they need during this incredibly difficult time," Elrich said.