5-year-old boy struck by SUV while getting on school bus

A five-year-old boy was hit by anSUV on Tuesday morning as he was about to boardhisschoolbus in Irishtown, north of Moncton.

The boy suffered serious injuries, police said.

According tothe RCMP, the bus stopped on Communication Road at about 8 a.m. and had its red lights flashing.

It appears theDodge Journey SUVwas behind the bus, travelling in the same direction, going east, said Sgt. Patrick Tardif.

The bus stopped to pick up the boy, but the SUV did not. It swerved toward the shoulder of the road to avoid colliding with the bus,striking the boy, police said.

The SUV landed in the ditch.

The driver of theSUVwas not injured, but the boy was rushed to hospital, police said.

The Anglophone East School District said the boy went to nearby Mountain View Elementary School.

"We have confirmed that the injuries are non-life-threatening," said Stephanie Patterson, director of communications for thedistrict.

"We are waiting to hear on the extent of the injuries."

Tardifsaid the SUV driver is not in custody, but the investigation is continuing.A reconstruction team was at the site for three hours gathering information.

Tardifsaid he wanted to remind people to slow down when they see a school bus.

"They make frequent stops."

Anyone who witnessed the accident is askedto contact the RiverviewRCMP.