Brayden Callahan, Rockland, Maine 12 year old boy run over by school bus after dropped off at intersection as police have yet to say if school bus driver faces charges.
A 12 year old student at a Rockland, Maine area school has died after the boy was fatally struck by a school bus at an intersection. The incident has led to parents demanding answers after years of complaining about the bus driver.
Brayden Callahan, who was identified by one of the parents of the victim’s classmates, died after being hit by the school bus he took home from class on Friday.
According to the classmate’s mother, the 12 year old of was run over by the bus with both sets of tires of the rear whees of the bus. To date it remained unclear how the boy came to be run over and whether the driver was at fault.
How did 12 year old Rockland boy come to be run over?
Brayden Callahan was the son of Shane Callahan and Kelly Morse. His grandmother said his family called him ‘Bray.’
He attended Oceanside Middle School in Thomaston.
Officers with the Rockland Police Department along with the fire department responded to a pedestrian accident that occurred around 2:20 p.m, Friday, November 21 on Broadway at the intersection of Eliza Steele Drive.
The victim, a Regional School Unit 13 student, was flown to Maine Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and later died, according to police.
RSU 13 — which services the Rockland, South Thomaston, Thomaston, Owl’s Head, and Cushing communities — released a statement on Facebook confirming there was an ‘incident’ Friday in which a school bus struck a student, who then received ‘prompt medical attention’ from emergency services after they ‘responded immediately.’
Rockland, Maine community devastated
The school district also said it’s working closely with local law enforcement and emergency responders as they investigate this incident.
‘The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,’ RSU 13 stated, noting that counseling services will be available for students and staff who may need support during this difficult time.
Brayden’s mom says doctors told her he had severe internal bleeding, a shattered pelvis and a broken arm according to News Center Maine. Before he died, doctors told Braydon’s mom, Kelly Morse that if her son survived, the boy would be disabled for the rest of his life.
Many of Callahan’s family, friends, and members of the public had signed a board that was constructed at the scene of Friday’s tragedy. Many more have left flowers, toys, and stuffed animals at the base in a memorial for the boy.
Problem school bus driver?
Devastated locals described the 12 year old boy as ‘a loving and bright young man’ speaking to MidCoastVillager.
‘Wise beyond his years. He loved his family as much as we loved him,’ said Peggy DeVarney.
‘How could this happen,’ she asked, ‘with all the safety features these buses have?’
The school bus driver was not identified. Nevertheless locals alluded to the driver being the focus of ongoing complaints over the years.
‘We’ve all been trying to get him out of here. This all could have been easily avoided when we told them,’ said Becky Finson, a neighbor and parent.
‘This was negligent at the very least,’ Olson said. ‘The entire neighborhood is wrecked over this.’
Authorities didn’t indicate whether the school bus driver would face any charges.
A Gofundme account has been created to cover funeral costs.
Any RSU 13 parents with questions can contact Superintendent John McDonald at 207-596-6620, the school district said.
