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Child Hit, Killed by School Bus in Henderson

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HENDERSON — A 7-year-old boy, Kim Williams Jr., was hit and killed by a Vance County school bus after he got off the bus Tuesday afternoon in Henderson.

Police say the accident happened around 3 p.m. near the intersection of Spring Street and Parham Street.

There were other children on the bus at the time, but no one else was injured.

Henderson Policeare still investigating the accident.

The victim's sister, Una Williams, said several children got off the bus at that stop; she was one of them. She said her brother was apparently standing on the side of the road waiting to see what the bus driver was going to do before he crossed the street and headed to his house.

The victim's sister also says she saw her brother step off the curb and the bus roll forward and hit Williams. At the same time, she says the bus driver was not paying attention.

"He was in the driver's seat turned around. He had his head turned around to the back," said Una Williams.

Investigators are calling the incident a tragic accident, but that does not make 11-year-old Una Williams feel any better.

"I just don't want to ride that bus anymore," she said.

Henderson police say the bus driver is 24-year-old Jeffrey Strong. They say there are no charges pending against the driver.

Williams was a first grader at Rollins Elementary School. The school's principal said three counselors will be at the school Wednesday to help the 800 students cope with the loss of their classmate.

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