Over $16K Raised After 6-Year-Old Hit by School Bus in Sheridan
Over $16,000 has been raised as of Wednesday morning to assist with medical bills after a six-year-old was hit by a school bus outside an elementary school and suffered life-threatening injuries earlier this week in Sheridan.
The child is on life support at a Colorado children's hospital, according to a family member.
Although officials have declined to name the child citing privacy laws, a GoFundMe page was posted online in connection with the incident Monday night.
Breanna Stone, who said she is acting as a spokesperson for the family, told K2 Radio News on Tuesday that the child's family is grateful for the support and prayers they have received. As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the GoFundMe page has raised over $16,000 from more than 300 donors.
An account has also been set up at First Northern Bank of Wyoming to help the family with expenses, Stone said.
"Words cannot express how much we care for every child in our district. Their health and safety is more important than anything," Sheridan County School District 2 Superintendent Craig Dougherty said in a written statement.
Doughtery added that the district's entire leadership team, including school psychologists, counselors, principals and the school resource officer are working together to provide support for staff and students.
According to a Sheridan Police Department statement, first-responders were called to Coffeen Elementary School at 3:06 p.m. Monday.
They arrived to find a six-year-old laying directly in front of the passenger-side rear tires of a school bus. Witnesses told police that the child ran to the side of the bus as it was leaving the school in an attempt to stop the driver. The child was pulled beneath the bus.
EMS and fire personnel arrived and transported the child to Sheridan Memorial Hospital. The child was then flown to Aurora Children's Hospital in Colorado.
Sheridan Police Department Lt. Travis Koltiska said Wednesday morning the investigation is ongoing. The Wyoming Highway Patrol is assisting.