Boy, 15, hit by school bus in St. Paul and critically injured
Updated: 12:46 p.m. | Posted: 9:13 a.m.
A 15-year-old boy was hit and critically injured by a school bus in St. Paul on Thursday morning.
The boy, a Como Park High School student, was hit by the bus near the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Dale Street at about 7:15 a.m., according to St. Paul Police spokesperson Steve Linders.
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The victim was crossing Dale in the crosswalk when the bus hit him while making a left turn. He was transported to Regions Hospital and remains in critical condition.
The bus was being driven by a 50-year-old for the Hmong American Partnership. It was not a St. Paul school district bus.
Rick Hansen was at his girlfriend's house nearby when the boy was injured.
"One other lady had a blanket. We covered him with to keep him warm, to keep him from going into shock," Hansen said. "He was conscious but not cognitive. He was just dazed and trying to get up, we just tried to keep him still."
Officials from the Hmong American Partnership didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. St. Paul Police spokesperson Sgt. Mike Ernster said the bus was full of students when it hit the boy. No other information was immediately available.
A St. Paul Public Schools spokesperson said crisis support is available at Como Park High for students and staff.
This crash brings the city close to 50 pedestrians hit by vehicles in St. Paul so far this year. Police are investigating why the driver hit the boy.
"He was in the crosswalk, he was walking with the green light, and I believe this accident was avoidable," Ernster said.