Friday afternoon in Gibbstown turned into every parent’s worst nightmare after 7-year-old Hunter Smith was struck and killed by a school bus near a neighborhood intersection, leaving an entire community shaken and grieving.
Authorities said the tragic crash happened around 3:40 p.m. near Bennett Street and Aston Drive in Gloucester County. Neighbors who heard the commotion rushed outside alongside responding police officers to help the young boy before emergency crews arrived at the scene.
Hunter was quickly taken to Cooper University Hospital as first responders and medical staff fought to save his life. Despite desperate efforts, the young child later died from the severe injuries he suffered in the collision.
Residents described the area Friday evening as filled with shock, silence, and heartbreak as investigators examined the school bus involved and worked to piece together exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
Officials have not yet shared additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators continue working to determine how the fatal collision occurred and whether any other factors played a role.
As news of Hunter’s death spread through Gibbstown, support for the grieving family began pouring in from every corner of the township. Clonmell United Methodist Church announced it would open Saturday morning to provide prayer, counseling, and emotional support for community members struggling to process the devastating loss.
The Greenwich Township School District also confirmed that grief counselors and support staff will be available for students and families beginning Monday. For many children in the district, the loss of someone so young and close to home has been especially difficult to understand.
What began as an ordinary school day ended in unimaginable sorrow for Hunter Smith’s family. Now, a small New Jersey community is left holding onto memories of a little boy whose life ended far too soon, while neighbors continue praying for strength, healing, and answers in the painful days ahead.
