6-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Struck By School Bus In Atco
ATCO, N.J. (CBS) — Authorities say a six-year-old boy has died after being struck by a school bus Monday morning.
Edmond Bock IV was hit shortly before 8:30 a.m. on Aqua Lane in the Atco section of Waterford Township.
The first grader's father, Edmond Bock III, says the family is simply devastated.
"He always tells my wife that he missed me in the morning to say good morning to me and today he didn't miss that. He gave me a hug and a kiss and said 'I'll see ya later. I love you dad' and that was it."
It was the last time this heartbroken father saw his six-year-old son.
"The next thing I know I get a phone call that he was hit by a bus and I come driving down the road and he's lying on the ground dead," his father said.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office says it appears the bus was stopped to pick up children. When it began moving forward again, it struck the child.
Waterford Township School District sent a letter home to parents and an investigation is now under way.
"This was a substitute bus driver today with 25 years of experience. Based on the direction and all the bus that was coming through there, he was following the protocol that he should have been following," Superintendent Newlin Schoener said.
Edmond has a younger brother who will turn four soon. His parents were getting ready to move, something he was excited about. His Dad says he loved church, bible stories and being an older brother.
"Just go home tonight and hug your kids and tell them you love them and do not let them go and family members, too, because you do not know what tomorrow holds," his father said.
Edmond had a cub scout meeting tonight. Instead, his family is now planning his funeral. Grief counselors will be brought in throughout the district for any child who needs them tomorrow.
