Bus driver, caregiver not to blame for death of child after being struck by Hamilton city bus: police

John Musselman reports on the police investigation following a tragic accident involving a city bus that claimed the life of a 7-year-old child in Hamilton.

Hamilton police say a bus driver is not to blame after a child was struck by a city bus downtown Thursday afternoon and neither is the child’s caregiver.

In a release on Friday, police said they continue to investigate the collision involving a Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus that resulted in the death of a seven-year-old child.

The child had been taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead after being hit by the bus in the area of Wilson and Emerald streets at around 1 p.m.

Police told CTV News on Thursday that there were 15 people onboard the bus at the time of the collision and it was not known if the child was hit at the front or side of the bus.

It is believed they were with their mother and the pair may have just gotten off the bus at the time. The bus driver remained on the scene.

“Based on witness statements and video gathered at the scene, investigators do not believe that the actions of the bus driver or the child’s caregiver contributed to this tragic incident,” police said in Friday’s release.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the child’s family and friends, as well as to the HSR bus driver and all witnesses affected by this devastating incident.”

“My heart goes out to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said a statement on Thursday.

“The loss of a child is unimaginable, and all of Hamilton is grieving with them.”