Not sure if this has made nationwide coverage or not....but it's big around here.

Last night, around 5:30, the late-late bus from my school was taking the atheletes home in the dark and rain. A young girl was cycling at an interesection when the bus hit her and left her fatally injured in the street. The bus driver, who was 75, continued driving, not realising what had happened. The girl died about an hour later.

This morning, in history (Per. 1), they made an announcement for all students taking that bus to see the head of security. When we asked the teacher, we learned the news. It just broke into the AP a few hours ago...before that, we were following it in the local paper and through word of mouth.

Here's an AP article: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--schoolbusfatal1117nov17,0,6797553.story?coll=ny-region-apnewjersey

Needless to say, I'd like to request prayers for the girl's family, and the entire Watchung Hills community. We've all been in a state of shock today from it.

I'll be sure to share anything else I hear "along the pipeline" with you. But for now, please keep everyone out here in your thoughts and prayers.

A most unfortunate tragedy, Greg. We will be sure to keep your school mates and community in our thoughts.

Greg, that is so sad. I know it has affected all your community, and you and your school mates, in particular. Please know that we are all thinking of you.

That is just an extremely tragic accident...what a terrible time for the girls family and also for the bus driver to have to deal with this. My prayers are for all whose lives have been touched by this accident.
Ruthie

We have added the family of the girl and bus driver to our prayer list. We will also pray for healing for the entire community.

Kat and Larry

Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts...I really appreciate them.

Thought I'd share another news story from the local paper today...

http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051118/NEWS/511180357

This one gives the more "personal" side of the story from the "day-after". It had me in tears....this one was the one that made the real impact on me.

It's obvious why the article made such an impact on you, Greg. It's such a tragedy; this young girl was just starting a new stage in her life, barely a teenager with so much ahead of her. I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers.

What a dreadful thing to happen to a girl, her family and a whole comunity!

Please know that we are praying for ALL

What a terrible, terrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who knew and loved the deceased.

From a professional perspective, how does a bus driver strike and drag a person on a bicycle and not know he had hit anything? One would think someone on that bus would have heard, or perhaps seen, something unusual during and after the point of impact.

I do hope the investigators do a thorough job of handling this case. It will not bring back the deceased but it could prevent another similar tragedy in the future.

Bob M.