A schoolboy has died after an incident involving a bus outside Excelsior Academy school in Newcastle
An 11-year-old boy has died after a collision with a bus at the time children left a nearby secondary school.
The youngster came into contact with a number 38 Stagecoach service near to the Excelsior Academy in Newcastle at 3.30pm today.
Neighbours have spoken of their horror at the incident.
Resident Isabella Nevin, 85, said: “It’s just such a shame. The poor person. It’s so very sad.”
A spokesperson from Excelsior Academy told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle he was unable to confirm whether the boy had been one of their pupils or if he had attended a nearby school.
The youngster suffered a serious head injury at around 3.39pm on the B1311.
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle was sent to the scene and the boy was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital earlier this evening.
Resident Anne Smith said: “I saw a girl in the street shouting and waving her arms to get the cars to go the other way but I couldn’t actually see what happened.
“It’s awful. Poor thing.”
The road was closed in both directions while police investigated the incident.
A spokeswoman for the Stagecoach bus company said: “At around 3.35pm today one of our vehicles on Service 38 was involved in a serious incident involving a pedestrian on Whickham View in Newcastle.
“Our immediate thoughts are for the person involved and their family.
“Safety is our absolute priority and we will assist the police in any way we can with their investigation into this incident.”
Hazel Stephenson, Newcastle City Councillor for the Benwell and Scotswood ward, said: "It's absolutely dreadful and an awful thing to have happened. Clearly everyone's hearts go out to the family.
"I'm sure people at his school will be shocked and devastated.
"It's a terrible situation for the family and everyone concerned this loss of young life.
"Anyone who witnessed it can be helpful and contact the police."
She said that there are several crossings around Excelsior Academy which were put in when it was built, and a new traffic island.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101.
