Boy, 5, Fatally Struck by School Bus Had His Arm Stuck in Door Before Being Dragged: NTSB

Federal investigators have released preliminary information about the death of a 5-year-old boy who was struck by a school bus in Maine last month.

In an initial report dated Friday, Jan. 9, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) detailed what it says happened in Standish, where the child — later identified by family as Simon Gonzalez — died following the incident.

According to the NTSB, the crash occurred on Dec. 16, 2025, at about 8:00 a.m. local time, when a school bus operated by Maine School Administrative District #6 stopped at a bus stop in the southbound lane of Route 35.

The report says a 7-year-old student boarded the bus as the 5-year-old approached from the right rear. When the younger child reached the passenger loading doors, the doors began to close.

“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 NTSB said. “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.”

The child died from his injuries, the report states. The bus driver and the other student on board were not hurt.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office previously said the bus belonged to the Bonny Eagle School District, according to ABC affiliate WMTW. Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce told the station that the boy’s half-brother was the only student on the bus at the time.

Jason Small identified the victim as his grandson, Simon Gonzalez.

“Simon loved life. He loved to just be on the go,” Small said in a statement to WMTW. “Our family has been devastated by this loss. … He was and always will be extremely loved and missed by his whole family and everyone that knew him.”

The incident happened near Edna Libby Elementary School, WMTW, CBS affiliate WGME and the Portland Press Herald reported.

Superintendent Clay Gleason of Maine School Administrative District #6 addressed the death in a statement sent to the school community on Dec. 16.

“It is with great sadness that I share the news that there was a fatal accident involving an elementary school aged student and a Bonny Eagle school bus this morning around 8:00 AM,” Gleason wrote in a letter.

The NTSB said its investigation remains ongoing as it works to determine the probable cause and consider potential safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office also said on Thursday, Jan. 8, that its investigation is continuing, the Press Herald reported, adding that the bus driver has not been charged in connection with the incident.