The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department is investigating a bus crash that resulted in the death of a 5-year-old 4K student from the Hamilton School District.
Hamilton's superintendent Paul Mielke released a statement saying that the boy was at Silver Spring Intermediate to get onto a shuttle bus to be taken to Willow Springs Learning Center
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office says the bus was carrying students when the crash occurred and that the driver of the bus is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Both schools are part of the Hamilton School District. Silver Spring Intermediate serves students in the fifth and sixth grades. Willow Springs serves 4-year-old kindergartners.
In his letter to parents, Superintendent Mielke says the district is not sharing additional information at this time out of respect for the student's family.
"We understand this tragedy is sure to raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our entire school community, especially our students," Mielke wrote. "Our student services team immediately began working with students and staff at several buildings this morning and will continue to provide support during this difficult time."
Classes at Hamilton School District schools have been canceled for Friday, January 3 due to the tragedy.
Watch: Waukesha parents devastated after 4K student struck, killed by bus:
Young students were taken to a nearby church where their families could pick them after checking in with law enforcement. Parents were distraught and eager to see their children.
"Called the school immediately as soon as we found out it was a 4K and wanted to pick up our student right away," Robert Hildebrandt told TMJ4 news.
Parent Waleed Edoud says his youngest child is 5 years-old. His son attends Willow Springs Learning Center and is friends with the victim.
"The youngest one gets out every morning with a chaperone from the middle school. I don't know what happened, but during the transfer my son said the kid that's behind him got hit by the bus end, it just missed him he said. He kicked the bus out of anger and he said he saw kid on the floor," Edoud said. "He's horrified."
Parents expressed frustration over the communication to families and what they say have been ongoing concerns with the bus company.
"We've been calling and complaining but we keep getting brushed off," Hildebrandt stated.
"We're going to come up with a plan to not put our kids on this bus anymore until something is corrected," Edoud said.
Read the full letter from Superintendent Mielke below:
A spokesperson for Dairyland-Hamilton released the following statement:
We offer our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, and the Hamilton School community. Dairyland-Hamilton is fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate this tragic accident, and we are in ongoing communication with our District partners.
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