Boy, 5, Fatally Struck by School Bus Had His Arm Caught in the Door Before Being Dragged: NTSB

Federal authorities have released preliminary findings into the death of a 5-year-old boy who was fatally injured while trying to board a school bus in Standish, Maine, last month.

An initial report issued Friday, Jan. 9, by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) details the Dec. 16, 2025, incident that claimed the life of Simon Gonzalez, who was later identified by family members.

According to the report, at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time, a school bus operated by Maine School Administrative District #6 stopped in the southbound lane of Route 35. A 7-year-old student boarded the bus, while Simon approached the vehicle from the right rear.

As the 5-year-old reached the passenger loading doors, the doors began to close. The NTSB said Simon extended his left arm between the closing doors, which then pinned his arm shut.

“The bus began to drive south on Route 35, and the student was dragged about 280 feet before he became dislodged from the door, fell to the roadway, and was run over by the bus,” the agency stated.

Simon suffered fatal injuries. The bus driver and the other student on board were not injured.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office previously said the bus belonged to the Bonny Eagle School District, according to ABC affiliate WMTW. Sheriff Kevin Joyce told the station that Simon’s half-brother was the only student on the bus at the time of the incident.

Jason Small, Simon’s grandfather, confirmed the child’s identity and shared a statement remembering him.

“Simon loved life. He loved to just be on the go,” Small said. “Our family has been devastated by this loss. He was and always will be extremely loved and missed by his whole family and everyone that knew him.”

The incident occurred near Edna Libby Elementary School, according to reports from WMTW, CBS affiliate WGME, and the Portland Press Herald.

Superintendent Clay Gleason of Maine School Administrative District #6 acknowledged the tragedy in a statement to the school community on Dec. 16.

“It is with great sadness that I share the news that there was a fatal accident involving an elementary school-aged student and a Bonny Eagle school bus this morning around 8:00 a.m.,” Gleason wrote in a letter shared with PEOPLE.

The NTSB said its investigation remains ongoing as it works to determine the probable cause of the crash and identify potential safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed Thursday, Jan. 8, that th