WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. — The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said it’s investigating a bus accident that killed a Hamilton School District student. 

The accident occurred Thursday morning in a parking lot at Silver Spring Intermediate School (SSI), according to WCSO. WCSO said it was alerted about the incident at 8:37 a.m. 

According to a letter sent to Hamilton School District families from Superintendent Paul Mielke, the student was at SSI and transferring to a shuttle to go to Willow Springs Learning Center. Students in 5th and 6th grades attend SSI while Willow Springs Learning Center is populated by 4K students. 

The student was hit and killed by a school bus. The accident happened on school property. 

The school district said it will not release the name of the student out of respect for the privacy of the family, but confirmed the student was in 4K. The student was 5-years-old. 

Waleed Edoub’s son was in the same grade as the child who died. Edoub said his son witnessed the accident that killed his friend.

“My 5-year-old said he saw everything. He was walking in that line that they do,” he said. 

Edoub said he’s going to have a tough conversation ahead of him with his son.

“My kid was steps away from being the one. We’re going to go sit down right now and talk,” Edoub said.

Edoub and other parents gathered near to school waiting to pick up their children and waited to get more information. First responders kept the area that the accident occurred at blocked off for hours.

Those parents, and the wider community, said they are thinking of the family who lost their child.

“I feel horrible for them. I mean, we were really upset when we heard about it,” Robert Hildebrandt, another school district parent, said.

“I’m heartbroken for the family and I wish them all the best,” Edoub added. 

WCSO said the bus was carrying students when the incident happened. The bus driver is cooperating with the investigation. 

The accident occurred before the school day started Thursday, Jan. 2. It was the school district's first day back to school from winter break. Hamilton School District canceled Friday classes. 

The superintendent said resources are being provided to those who need support, including counseling for students and families. 

Officials said there is no active threat to the school or the surrounding area.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.