8-Year-Old Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency on School Bus

New Haven, Connecticut, officials are investigating after an 8-year-old student suffered a medical emergency while riding the bus home from school and later died.

School spokesperson Abbe Smith said the child was a student at the Lincoln-Bassett School, which serves children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Officials said the girl slumped over in her seat while riding the bus home Monday and died at a hospital on Wednesday. The New Haven Independent reports that the child may have had a heart attack.

"New Haven Public Schools and the Lincoln Bassett community are shaken by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family," Smith said in a statement Thursday. "The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. An investigation into the matter was immediately launched and we are working closely with First Student bus company."

Smith said social workers and school psychologists are providing emotional supports to students affected by the death of their classmate. It's not clear if the student had a pre-existing medical condition.

Officials from the First Student Bus Company said they're sitting down with the school system to go over policies and procedures in the event of a medical emergency.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, the school and the community during this difficult time," First Student spokesperson Chris Kemper said in a statement Thursday. "The safety and well-being of our students is always a priority for us. We are currently reviewing the matter with New Haven Public Schools."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us