A high school student riding a skateboard ran a stop sign, hitting a bus yesterday afternoon (9/23) in Newport. The accident occurred about 2:45 p.m. near the intersection of 4th Street and Benton. Newport Police, Newport Fire and PacWest Ambulance were dispatched to the area to render aide. Further investigation revealed a 14-year old Newport boy had been riding his skateboard westbound on NE 4th
Street. When he approached the intersection at NE 4th And Benton Street, he failed to stop for the posted stop sign and crashed into the side of a Mid- Columbia bus, which was driving southbound through the intersection. Fire and Medical personnel began rendering aid to the injured boy while Police seconded off the scene and began interviewing witnesses.

The bus involved in the crash was carrying students at the time of the incident and Mid – Columbia brought out a second bus to transfer students. No one on the bus was injured. Families of students on the bus were notified that their children would be arriving home late from school. Director of Support Services Rich Belloni said the school safety protocols were followed and students on the bus were safe. He added their thoughts are with the injured student and his family. Students will have access to a “safe room” today at their respective Newport school to speak with an adult if they were upset by the crash. The 14-year old boy was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport with facial injuries. He was flown to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital via REACH Air Ambulance. The investigation into the crash is continuing.