A candlelight vigil is being held at 7 p.m. tonight (Dec. 22) at Plattin Primary School, 2400 R-7 School Road, south of Festus to memorialize a Jefferson R-7 School District first-grade student who was struck and killed by a school bus on Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 21).
The 6-year-old boy attended Plattin Primary.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at about 3:15 p.m. on Oakland Hills Drive near Oakland Woods Drive in the Oakland Manor subdivision south of Festus.
After the boy was dropped off, he was crossing in front of the 2000 Bluebird school bus when he was struck by the bus, which was driven by a 61-year-old man. Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District personnel pronounced the child dead at the scene.
Highway Patrol Cpl. Dallas Thompson said this afternoon (Dec. 22) the agency’s Major Crash Investigation Unit was still investigating the accident.
R-7 Superintendent Clint Johnston said the accident occurred after the last day of school before Christmas vacation. Counselors are available during the Christmas break and when classes resume Jan. 5 at Plattin Primary for students and community members.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the boy’s family to cover funeral expenses, and as of 5:30 p.m. today, $29,820 had been raised. To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/help-damons-parents-properly-put-him-to-rest.