Child struck by Disney bus dies

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A child, hit by a bus at Walt Disney World, has died. The accident happened near Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort early Thursday afternoon shortly before 2 p.m.

Reedy Creek Fire Rescue responded to the incident along with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol.  The bus that struck the 9-year-old boy was a Disney bus, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.  Initially, FHP reported the boy was 10 years of age.

Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said the boy was hit while riding his bicycle. He was with an 11-year-old girl, who was not hurt. Both were wearing helmets, according to emergency workers.

"The little boy, who riding to the left of the little girl -- closest to traffic --  left the sidewalk and went into the southbound lanes of Big Pine Drive, struck the side of the bus and then was subsequently pulled under the bus and run over by the bus,"  said Sgt. Montes during a news conference.

According to FHP, there were 28 passengers on board the Disney bus.  None were injured. The boy is from St. Petersburg, though his identity has not been released.

Disney is helping the boy's family, but has not provided additional information about the accident.

"We are deeply saddened by what happened and are doing everything we can to provide resources and support to the family. The circumstances of the accident are under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and we are working closely with them to gather the facts," said Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney World Resort. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, and all of our Cast Members join me in extending our deepest sympathies."

The driver has been identified as David Russell Rich, 56, of Montverde.  A Disney spokesperson said Rich has more than thirty years of experience as a bus driver.  At present time, a traffic homicide investigation is underway by the FHP and charges are pending, a standard procedure for agency until such investigations are completed.  Preliminary reports indicate that this was an accident, according to troopers, but Sgt. Montes made it clear that more information would need to be collected.

"These investigations can take up to sixty days. We're writing the last chapter of this young man's life and we want to make sure it's accurate."

FOX 35 spoke with the mother of the Disney bus driver who said her son is distraught over what happened. She asked not to be identified. She said that her son spent most of the afternoon being questioned by law enforcement and by Disney officials. She defended her son, saying he had a perfect driving record spanning three decades.

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort opened in 1971 and is one of the original accommodations at Walt Disney World Resort. It sits on roughly 750 acres about a mile to the southeast of the Magic Kingdom.

If you witnessed the accident and have information to share with us, please contact our newsroom at 407-741-5027.  If you have photos or video, you can upload them by clicking here

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This is the second bus-related accident in as many weeks at Walt Disney World. On March 23, a Disney bus driver crashed into a tour bus, which was stopped in the roadway with its emergency lights flashing.  The driver of the bus, Jean Valentin, 42, rear-ended the tour bus, leaving himself and seven others injured. Valentin was later cited for careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol.

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This is also the latest in a string of accidents at Central Florida's largest tourist destination.  Early last month, a Disney employee was injured while working at a ride at Tomorrowland. Disney confirmed that on March 14, the worker was injured while working at the Tomorrowland Speedway. The cast member was struck by a ride vehicle driven by a park guest. Reedy Creek Fire Rescue said they responded after the cast member stepped in front of the moving vehicle.

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In July of last year, twelve people were injured when two buses collided near Disney's Contemporary Resort.  About 50 people were on both buses. The 12 injured passengers were taken to four nearby hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.

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Also in July, a monorail operator was killed when two trains collided.  Monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg, 21, of Kissimmee, died when a second train backed into the one he was piloting. That second train was driven by Alan Rubino, 62.  Disney was levied a fine of $35,200 for workplace-safety violations in that incident following an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

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In August of last year, a stunt performer died following an accident at the Hollywood Studios theme park.  Anislav Varbanov was injured while rehearsing for the "Indiana