At a Glance
- An eight-year-old student is in critical condition after falling from the rear door of a moving school bus in Monsey, Rockland County, on Wednesday, Jan. 14 around 5 p.m.
- The child accidentally activated the rear door release while the bus was in motion, according to the Ramapo Police Department
- The incident occurred near 70 Main St.; the child was not struck by following traffic
- Why it matters: The accident highlights potential safety gaps in school bus door mechanisms and supervision protocols
A school bus ride turned life-threatening for an eight-year-old Rockland County student who fell from the vehicle’s rear door and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Incident Details
The accident unfolded at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, as the bus traveled through Monsey, New York. Officers responded to a 911 call describing an unconscious pedestrian near 70 Main St., according to statements the Ramapo Police Department provided to ABC7.
Investigators determined the child, while aboard the moving bus, accidentally triggered the rear door release. The door opened and the student tumbled onto the roadway. A car behind the bus managed to stop in time, preventing further injury.
Emergency personnel transported the child to Westchester Medical Center, where the student continues to receive intensive care. Local outlet Rockland Daily confirmed the child’s condition as “critical.”
Scene Response
First responders converged on the residential street:
- Ramapo Police officers secured the area
- An ambulance crew provided on-scene treatment
- Community members gathered, some capturing photos later published by Rockland Daily
News Of Losangeles reached out to the Town of Ramapo Police Department and Westchester Medical Center for additional comment; neither responded immediately.
Recent School Bus Tragedies
This incident follows a deadly December accident in Maine. Five-year-old Simon Gonzalez died after his hand became stuck in a closing school bus door. The National Transportation Safety Board’s Jan. 9 report stated the child extended his arm between the doors, which then pinned it. The bus dragged him roughly 280 feet before he fell beneath the wheels.
The NTSB summarized: “The student extended his left arm into the bus, between the closing doors, and his arm became pinned between the doors as they closed. The bus began to drive south on Route 35, and the student was dragged about 280 feet before he became dislodged from the door, fell to the roadway, and was run over by the bus.”
Safety Questions
Wednesday’s fall renews scrutiny of rear-door safeguards on school buses. Key concerns include:
- Whether child-proof release mechanisms are standard
- Driver visibility of rear-door activity
- Supervision levels for elementary-age riders
Authorities have not disclosed the bus company or school district involved. No charges have been announced as the investigation continues.
Key Takeaways
- One Monsey student fights for life after an accidental door release
- Quick action by a following driver averted a second impact
- The Ramapo Police inquiry is active; officials urge witnesses to come forward
- The accident echoes broader national worries over school bus safety standards
