KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A girl under the age of 10 was struck and killed while riding her bicycle to school Tuesday morning in Kansas City, Missouri.
Around 7:20 a.m., first responders received a call that a vehicle had struck a bicyclist near the intersection of Food Lane Drive and Longview Road.
Police, fire and paramedics arrived on the scene and located the girl. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she did not survive her injuries.
"The Hickman Mills C-1 School District is deeply saddened to confirm that an Ingels Elementary School student passed away following a bicycle accident that occurred on the way to school this morning," the school district said.
The girl was struck just blocks away from the school.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the student's family, friends, and the Ingels Elementary community," the district said. "Counselors and support staff are available to assist students and staff as they process this tragic loss."
A police spokesperson said the driver of a Ford Transit van was traveling north on Food Lane Drive when they started to turn west onto Longview Road.
At the same time, the girl was riding her bicycle within the crosswalk and with a green light when she was struck by the driver of the van. Police say the driver of the van remained on the scene and was cooperating with police.
KSHB 41 News reporter Megan Abundis spoke to Kailey Thompson. Thompson was sitting at the intersection and saw the crash.
"I saw the little girl coming from the same direction as him on the crosswalk," Thompson said. "He looked like he just didn't see her and smacked into her and immediately pulled over and got out of the car."
Thompson said she and other bystanders rushed to the girl's aid and started to perform CPR until paramedics arrived.
"The driver was devastated," Thompson said. "He was on his knees holding this girl's arm, praying over her."
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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