AN ELDERLY crossing guard was fatally struck by a vehicle as he saved the lives of two students, officials say.
The driver of a black sedan went right into the path of 88-year-old Bob Nill early yesterday morning as he helped children get safely across the street.
The students who were saved at Christ The King Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas were aged 11 and seven, according to KSHB.
“He had the stop sign in one hand and he yelled stop,” principal Cathy Fithian told the TV station.
“The boys listened and they weren’t struck because he saved their lives.”
Fithian added that “I’m confident they would not be here if [he] had not stepped in and we are thankful, we feel very blessed to have had him in our lives for five years.
“We just pray for his family at this time.”
Nill was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The school said in a statement that “all the children of the school are safe and we prayed a rosary immediately as a school for Mr. Nill.”
The driver of the black sedan stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, according to KSHB. The driver was also taken to a hospital.
“It’s a very unfortunate situation where the crossing guard who is there to protect the children was struck,” Officer Jonathon Westbrook of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department told the station.
“He was doing his job and doing it well.”
“It’s uncalled for,” local resident Tanya Walker told KSHB.
“When it’s a school zone, that’s why it’s set up. Slow down.”
Elizabeth Germany, another local resident, told Fox 4 that Nill was “dedicated” and cared about the kids.
“Made sure he stood out there with that sign and made sure they were safe to cross,” she told the station.
Nill’s nephew Randy added that “this was something I think he felt like he could help children and help himself feel good about what he was doing.”
“What my Uncle Bob did for just getting little kids across the street seemed probably trivial to some people, but for him, it was a really important job, and now, we really know how important it was.
“He maybe saved some lives.”
Nill was employed by the Wyandotte County Unified Government. Spokesman Dave Reno told KCUR that Nill was “dedicated and approachable.”
“Everybody’s pretty broken up about it,” he told the station.
“It’s solemn around here today.”
It has not been determined whether the driver will face charges.
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