Boy dies after being struck by SEPTA bus in Frankford

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police say a 12-year-old boy has died after being hit by a SEPTA bus in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood.

It happened after 3 p.m. Friday at Torresdale Avenue near Wakeling Street.

According to police, the boy ran in front of the Route 25 SEPTA bus traveling southbound, and in front of the Warren G. Harding Middle School.

He was rushed to Saint Christopher's Hospital with severe injuries. He later died from those injuries.

The incident was witnessed by a number of students who say the 12-year-old boy was running back and forth with a girl outside the school.

Marciani Johnson, an 8th grader said, "This girl was chasing this boy and he had run to the street and there was a Septa bus coming but it was going way too fast, and then he was running but he didn't see the Septa bus, it was coming too fast."

Another 8th grader, Shakur Watts said, "And that's when I heard a big boom, I turned around, the boy was laying on the floor and I started seeing blood coming out of his head."

Marquera Johnson, also an 8th grader said, "The little girl who made him run in the street and stuff, she was over here crying and stuff and all that."

The 12-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital by paramedics where he later died.

Frankford resident Geraldine Hunter said, "Oh my heart bleeds, oh my heart hurts, it really hurts."

There are signs in front of the school that indicate a 15 mph speed zone whenever the lights are flashing.

Eighth-grader Chris Cintron was asked do you know if the lights were working today. He said, "They were."

Some parents were complaining that there were not any crossing guards in front of the school as there had been in prior.

"There may have been a crossing guard to say, 'Hey kids, watch it, you can't run across, it's a busy street', where if there are not adults here to remind kids, unfortunately, they're kids, they get out of school, they want to have fun and they make mistakes," said Virginia Sedowski, a parent.

School District Spokesman Lee Whack said, "Crossing guards are a function of Philadelphia Police in concert with the city, I know that has been brought up and it's certainly gonna be considered going forward."

The incident remains under investigation.

In an effort to help the community cope, the School District of Philadelphia said it will be offering behavioral health support this weekend at the school from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 29 and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, September 30 and next week.

"The entire School District of Philadelphia grieves the passing of one of our beloved students. We send our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the Harding Middle School community in this time of sorrow," the district said in a statement.

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