bus collides – A 12-year-old girl from Haverhill died after a bus collided with a motorized scooter Thursday afternoon at Portland Street and 5th Avenue. Another child was seriously injured. Police continue investigating, while the district’s superintendent asked families to
A Thursday afternoon intersection in Haverhill turned into a scene of urgent emergency care just before 4 p.m., when police responded to a report of a bus collision involving a motorized scooter.
Officers arrived at the intersection of Portland Street and 5th Avenue to find two children suffering serious injuries, the Haverhill Police Department said in a statement. Both children were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Essex County District Attorney’s office reported Friday that one of the children—a 12-year-old girl from Haverhill—was later pronounced dead. The office, led by District Attorney Paul Tucker, said her identity was not immediately released because family notifications were pending. Tucker’s office also said the girl was a student in the Haverhill public schools system.
Haverhill Superintendent Margaret Marotta addressed the “heartbreaking tragedy” in a letter to the school community on Friday. Marotta wrote that many in the community were grieving “alongside our students and families. ” and stressed that whether someone knew the student personally or was “simply feeling the weight of this tragedy. ” their feelings were valid.
Marotta encouraged the community to respect the family’s privacy. “As a school community. we also ask that everyone respect the privacy of those most directly impacted. ” she wrote. adding that “behind every headline is a family facing the worst day of their lives.” She urged community members “to model compassion and empathy as we process this loss together. ” though she did not identify the girl.
State police and Haverhill police are continuing to investigate the crash.
For a substantial part of Thursday evening, the intersection was closed to traffic. Haverhill police asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it to contact the department at 978-373-1212.
In her letter, Marotta also pointed to the dangers she said are posed by micromobility devices. She wrote that the incident was a “sobering reminder” of their growing presence in Haverhill, and referenced Gov. Maura Healey, who filed legislation last month aimed at better regulating “micromobility devices” like e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds.
Marotta said these vehicles are widely available and. in many cases. unregulated. and that they can pose “very real dangers—especially for young adolescents who may not yet have the experience. judgment. or understanding of traffic laws needed to operate them safely.” She urged educators and trusted adults to reinforce safe choices.
She also encouraged parents and caregivers to have conversations about scooter safety—even if their family does not own a device—saying young people often ride friends’ scooters or ride together “often without fully appreciating the risks involved.”
Marotta wrote that “these conversations could save a life.”
Haverhill Massachusetts bus crash motorized scooter 12-year-old police investigation Essex County District Attorney Margaret Marotta micromobility
Portland St and 5th sounds like a nightmare. Why are kids even out there?
This is so sad. I hate when they don’t release the name right away, like it makes it worse for everyone. Prayers for that family.
Wait a bus hit a scooter? So like the scooter driver was the kid? Or was it a bus driver issue? Idk the article says “another child” too so I’m confused.
“Behind every headline is a family…” yeah but honestly can we talk about the intersection? Like how is Portland St and 5th not safer. They keep investigating but nothing ever changes. This is just heartbreaking.