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Headteacher pays tribute to dead pupil

1:04pm Wednesday 9th January 2008

comment Comments (33)   Have your say »


A HEADTEACHER has paid tribute to an 11-year-old boy who died after being struck by a bus this morning (January 9).

The child was on his way to Wilmington Grammar School for Boys when the accident happened in Princes Road, Dartford, at 7.26am.

Emergency services were called but he died at the scene.

Fiona Cottam, the head of the school, in Common Lane, Wilmington, says pupils and staff are devastated by the incident.

She said: "The staff and students are devastated by the tragic accident which took the life of one of our pupils earlier today.

"As a Year 7 student he had already made an impact on the school community and had settled in well, making many friends and showing great academic promise.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time."

Kent Police's Serious Collision Unit is investigating.

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Guy Ditcher says the boy was walking across the bus lane with a family member when the accident happened.

He said: "We know the bus had gone through a green light and the bus hit the boy and he was killed instantly.

"It was dark at the time and the boy was wearing dark clothing.

"We are going to try and track down as many witnesses as possible to get an account of what they saw."

Sgt Ditcher added: "The female bus driver was taking to Darent Valley Hospital suffering from shock and forensics officers have already been at the scene taking photographs and gathering evidence."

Princes Road was closed for four hours but is now re-opened.

Were you at the scene? Did you know the boy? Call the newsroom on 01689 885702.

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SAJ, Dartford, Dartford says...
1:39pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I've no desire (or expertise) to apportion blame, but those buses do hurtle down that lane and across the road at quite a speed. More importantly, whoever decided that introducing a bus lane that crosses a major junction of 6-way pedestrian and 4-way road traffic (2 with 2 lanes) was a safe idea was delusional. It was a disaster waiting to happen and tragically, it didn't take long.

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dartford, dartford says...
3:16pm Wed 9 Jan 08

r.i.p
****

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EM, Dartford says...
3:35pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I'm very sorry for the boy and his family. It's a most horrible thing.
I agree with SAJ, the busses (often) do drive over the crossing at too high a speed. I do not agree with the rest. A road crossing is by it's very nature unsafe. We try to make them safe by having rules and traffic lights. When the bus gets a green light all other lights are red. This makes a dangerous junction quite safe for all, if you just wait your turn. When you choose to ignore the lights you are endangering yourself and/or others... I believe it's up to the public to be safe and care for other road users and teach our children to be safe too! (This statement is not about this incident as we do not know the facts).

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Claire, Slade Green Erith says...
3:39pm Wed 9 Jan 08

So Sad to Here
Thoughts & Prayers with the Family
R.I.P-Little Boy. XXXXXXXXXXXX

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Crayford resident, Crayford says...
4:25pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I agree that the buses appear to travel very quickly down Princes Road. I can't begin to imagine how this poor boy's family are feeling. How desperately sad for them. We all take for granted that when we say goodbye to our children in the morning that we will see them again at the end of their day, safe and sound. For this family, they have lost that luxury. Like other people who've commented, I wonder too if we will know this young lad. We hope that he rests in peace.

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mathew, leigh academy says...
4:30pm Wed 9 Jan 08

buses do hurtle down that lane and when you are on the bus you do fall of the seat they drive well to fast and jump RED lights at the end of bus lanes

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james, Swanley says...
4:30pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I didnt know you but you were in my year at Wilmington Grammar. Rest in peace pal.

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ken, dartford says...
4:30pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of this young lad and my thoughts go out to all concerned.

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dee, northfleet says...
4:40pm Wed 9 Jan 08

this is a very sad and tragic accident and i cannot imagine how the family are feeling.but please do not make comments on buses at this time,knowing the driver involved who is still in hospital traumatised,please just spare your thoughts for all those who have suffered and the family who have lost a loved one

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Amy, Orpington says...
4:52pm Wed 9 Jan 08

What a waste of a life, the buses travel with such speed, they need to do something. Even if it was dark, there is no excuse. My thoughts are with the family, god bless and r.i.p. xx

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sam bishop wilmington grammar, Petts Wood says...
5:05pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I am a year 8 pupil at the boy's school and i'd met the boy before. I can't beleive it's happened and my thoughts are with the boy's friends and family.
R.I.P

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Kaz, Dartford says...
5:06pm Wed 9 Jan 08

My thoughts are with the family. So young RIP xx

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Jules, Kent says...
5:12pm Wed 9 Jan 08

My son is at WGSB and my heartfelt thoughts go out to this young man's family.

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Me, Dartford says...
5:14pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I also agree that the busses hurtle down that Princes Road sometimes. When Ive been on the bus, you have to hang on very tight, otherwise you'll be all over the bus! But in all fairness, we don't know how fast this bus was going, and it was dark still - I feel there needs to be more lighting around that area maybe, especially if the buses are to run at times when it's dark?
RIP little man x x x

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Ruth,Beth,Adam, Dartford says...
5:29pm Wed 9 Jan 08

We are all saddened to hear the tragic news. Our thoughts go out to the family. My son and daughter knew Matthew. Rest in peace. Thinking of the bus driver at this sad time. With love.

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Coner, Dartford says...
6:11pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I walk that way ever day to school and i know 100% the fast track goes way to fast.
RIP x

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Geoff, Dartford says...
6:17pm Wed 9 Jan 08

i attend wilmington grammar scholl for boys at he was a very popular boy and im sure all the teachers and his friends will be very upset

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joseph, dartford says...
6:26pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I knew Matthew as he was in my form at Wilmington Grammar. He was a nice boy and this is so sad.
All your class are thinking of you. R.I.P

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Claire, Dartford says...
7:08pm Wed 9 Jan 08

So sad and shocked at this horrendous news. Matthew was a sensible childand a hard working pupil. (taught him at primary school)My thoughts and prayers are with his family. R.I.P Matthew x

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j, erith says...
7:25pm Wed 9 Jan 08

omg what a tragic story!!!! can nayone tell me if matthews dad was called either gary or paul?

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bethany and lewis, kent says...
7:33pm Wed 9 Jan 08

So sad. Poor boy. Our heart goes out to his family and friends.xx

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Sheridan, Dartford says...
7:56pm Wed 9 Jan 08

R.I.P MATE U DIDNT DESERVE TO D IE NO1 DOES R.I.P X

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Hannah, Dartford says...
8:20pm Wed 9 Jan 08

Im really upset about this because i went to Matthew Hobb's Primary school all my mates are talking about it even the ones that dont know him

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Glenn, Dartford says...
8:50pm Wed 9 Jan 08

We can't believe you're gone Matty. You're in our thoughts.

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jacqui, says...
9:22pm Wed 9 Jan 08

Both my sons go to WGBS my eldest is in his brothers form my heart felt sadness goes out to matthews family such a tragic accident xx

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L>P, london says...
9:29pm Wed 9 Jan 08

R.I.P matt. this is deeply sad story and i feel for the family. but can i just say, no one knows if the bus was speeding so please could u all bare a thought for the bus driver who suffered shock. dont gt me wrong i feel for the family but that not jump to conclusions. RIP Matt xx

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kdartford, dartford says...
10:36pm Wed 9 Jan 08

our thoughts are with his family.rest in peace litle man..

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PLH, DT says...
11:04pm Wed 9 Jan 08

I for one am devastated by this tragic loss but not nearly as devastasted as this boys family. I dont think its fair to apportion blame at this moment although may i say that Bus Drivers are always criticised yet the training and ongoing assessment by bus companys is extremely good and Bus Drivers mostly take great caution while driving. please do not be quick to judge. my prayers to the family x

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Gemma Horne, Axton Chase School says...
11:10pm Wed 9 Jan 08

i didnt noe you well but i knew you enought. you have helped me throught my bad times. now you have gone, i will still talk too you even thoe i wont see you. i have been in so much shock all daii just hopping that it wasnt you hours after coming home from school and saying that you was gone, was devastating. on the news it said you special name. my tears and pain for you was finally let out. ever since we started talking i have always wonted too tell you just how special you where too me.i mean like you ment everything too me.when ever i was down you would always be the one that would make my frown into a smile. i knoe as well as others that the time wasnt right fore you, here one min and taken the next. it seemed to have happen with a click of fingers. but i just wont too say that you cute smile and grin will neaver leave my heart no matter what happends, i love you so so much that no other word could ever decribe.i feel like my haert has been torn into.i love you more than anythink. i just wint you back xxx r.i.p matthew

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A Friend, Dartford says...
1:29am Thu 10 Jan 08

PLH wrote:
I for one am devastated by this tragic loss but not nearly as devastasted as this boys family. I dont think its fair to apportion blame at this moment although may i say that Bus Drivers are always criticised yet the training and ongoing assessment by bus companys is extremely good and Bus Drivers mostly take great caution while driving. please do not be quick to judge. my prayers to the family x
I knew Matthew and unfortunately I can tell you that, based on what I have been told, the bus driver was not at fault. It appears that there were possibly 2 buses going in opposite directions and whilst Matthew saw the bus going up the hill, he did not see the bus coming down the hill and crossed after the first one has passed him, putting himself directly in the path of the second bus. I just thank god that it appears to have been pretty instantanious and he did not suffer.

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Kamaljit Rehal, Gravesend. says...
11:37am Thu 10 Jan 08

It is so sad to hear about this tragic accident, my heart goes out to the family of this young boy. Be strong and 'God Bless You All'.

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Rachel, Dartford says...
11:49am Fri 11 Jan 08

I hadn't known you long or very well. You played for fleetdown with my son and he thought you were the best. I always remember you had a smile and never a frown. You were a happy and friendly boy. My heart goes out to your family left behind, especially your big brother. RIP Matt x

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Steve +Audrey, Dartford says...
10:33pm Mon 14 Jan 08

We are all thinking of you at this sad time,forever in our thoughts.xx
All the bar staff at Fleetdown

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