NEWBURYPORT — A 13-year-old student was struck by a Newburyport police cruiser outside Rupert A. Nock Middle School this afternoon during school dismissal, according to City Marshal Matthew Simons.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on June 5 as the student was crossing Low Street. Police said the marked cruiser, which was not responding to an emergency, was traveling eastbound when the boy ran out from between two parked cars and into the road.
Witnesses told police the officer had no warning and was unable to avoid the collision. A preliminary investigation supports those accounts, the Newbury Police Department said in a statement.
The officer provided aid to the student, assisted by other first responders at the scene. The student was then taken by ambulance to Anna Jacques Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officer was evaluated at the scene but not transported.
“This is an extremely traumatic event for everyone involved,” said Marshal Simons. “I’m relieved that the student was not injured seriously, and grateful to the officer involved for acting calmly while being involved in a very stressful event. The officer’s attentiveness and quick reaction undoubtedly prevented what could have been more serious injuries.”
The incident remains under investigation by Sergeant Jason Kohan of the Newburyport Police Department. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash and has not spoken with investigators to call 978-462-4411, ext. 1.
