Child cyclist dies after collision with school bus in Almonte

UPDATE: ‘Hearts are broken’: Almonte mourns death of nine-year-old boy in school bus collision

A nine-year-old boy from Mississippi Mills has died following a collision involving a school bus in Almonte.

OPP say in a media release that emergency crews responded to the incident on Paterson Street at around 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25. According to the Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the child, who was a student at R. Tait McKenzie Public School, was riding his bicycle when the collision occurred near another nearby school.

Witnesses attempted life-saving measures before paramedics arrived. The child was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased.

An investigation is ongoing, with support from an OPP Collision Reconstructionist and members of the Technical Collision Investigation Team.

Police have not released further details about the circumstances of the crash. Lanarkist will continue to follow this story and provide updates if charges are laid.

Anyone affected by the tragedy is encouraged to reach out to Victim Services of Lanark County for support at 1-866-575-0067.