Cameron Millen: Boy, 14, mowed down by bus in front of parents and pals while walking on footpath remembered as ‘nicest little brother’
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: A 14-year-old Australian boy who died after being struck by a bus in front of his classmates is remembered as "the nicest little brother I could have ever wished for." Cameron Millen died in front of Cobbitty's Macarthur Anglican School in southwest Sydney, on Wednesday, February 15 just before 3 pm. The boy died shortly after being transferred to a hospital in Liverpool in severe condition.
A helicopter, three ambulances, and other emergency vehicles arrived quickly at the scene, according to Daily Mail. The child was given CPR before being transported to Liverpool Hospital where he eventually died. The 54-year-old female bus driver with 30 years of experience, Penina Lopesi, was also transferred to Liverpool Hospital for required tests. After that, she was taken into custody and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, and negligent driving causing death.
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'Rest in peace little bro'
Cameron's elder brother took to Instagram and shared a gut-wrenching post following the death of his beloved younger brother captioning "Rest in peace little bro." He wrote, "You were the best little brother I could have ever asked for. Though I found you annoying sometimes, you were always there for me and I can’t believe you’re gone. I will do my best to make you proud lil’ man. Love you," according to Daily Mail.
The camera footage showed Lopesi, a mother-of-three, being led by police out of the hospital while wearing a white gown and onto a police vehicle for the short trip to Liverpool police station. She will appear at Liverpool Local Court on Thursday after being denied bail. She also has a suspended license. "She has been driving buses for many, many years, decades I’d say," a family friend of Lopesi told The Daily Telegraph. "This is a real shock," they added. When his mother was being tested for blood alcohol content, Anthony Lopesi hurried to the hospital to be at her side. "She is very sad the boy passed away from the crash," he told the outlet. Her husband, Tupuola Lopesi, is a pastor at Hills of Praise Worship Centre at Minto. ‘She just said what had happened…I talked to her, it’s very sad,’ Pastor Lopesi said.
Public transport bus 'lost control'
The tragedy has rocked staff and students at Macarthur Anglican School. In a statement issued on Thursday morning, school headmaster, Dr David Nockles, confirmed that a public transport bus "lost control" as it veered away from the bus bays, causing the vehicle to mount the curb. “As a result of that accident, the student sustained injuries resulting in his death after his arrival at the hospital,” Dr Nockles said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy’s family, including his brother in 12th grade, as they deal with unimaginable grief and heartache." He further said, “The school appreciates the tangible support for our school community as we work through this terrible shock and loss to the wider Macarthur family.”
This morning, several "age-appropriate" assemblies were conducted, after which pupils went to their regular courses to be with their instructors or the group of counselors who had been called to the school. “Pastoral care and counseling will continue to be available to students and staff in the coming days and weeks,” Dr Nockles said. “The Headmaster appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that he and other staff have received for the school community and the boy’s family in particular,” Daily Mail reported.
Police have launched an investigation into the tragic incident and, as a result, the school said it will not be making any further comments on the situation.