A 6-year-old boy was struck and killed by a school bus in Rumford on Wednesday afternoon after falling off his bicycle in an intersection two blocks from his school.

Western Foothills School District officials confirmed the boy was a first-grader at Rumford Elementary School.

“Our entire RSU #10 community is grieving this loss,” the district said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. As with any accident of this kind, there is an ongoing, thorough investigation. We are fully cooperating in this process. This tragedy is far-reaching throughout our communities.”

Witnesses told police that the boy rode his bicycle off the sidewalk and into the intersection of Waldo Street and Lincoln Avenue around 3 p.m., the Rumford Falls Times reported. When the boy tried to brake, he and the bike fell into the road, where he was struck by the rear tire of a turning school bus carrying four students.

The child’s mother was on the scene immediately, Police Chief Stacy Carter said in a news release.

A makeshift memorial featuring stuffed animals and candles popped up near the scene of the accident.

Rumford Elementary School Principal Jill Bartash posted a statement on the school’s Facebook page, saying that classes would be held Thursday, but that the Family Fun Night had been postponed. Counselors will be available at the school to support the students and staff, she said.

“We know that the days ahead will be difficult for our entire community,” Bartash said. “Know that all staff will work to support kiddos in the days ahead.”

The Maine State Police accident reconstruction team is investigating the crash, the Rumford paper reported.

Police have not released more details of the crash, including the identities of the victim or the driver, and whether the boy was wearing a helmet.