Boy, 11, dies after bus collision

Matthew Hobbs was a Year 7 pupil at Wilmington Grammar School

An 11-year-old schoolboy has died after being hit by a bus in north Kent.

Matthew Hobbs was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, in Princes Road, Dartford.

Bus firm Arriva said the incident involved a Fastrack bus travelling to Dartford. A statement said the firm was cooperating fully with the authorities.

The head teacher of Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, where Matthew was a student, said staff and pupils were "devastated by the tragic accident".

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the relatives of the boy Arriva statement

A statement from Fiona Cottam said: "As a Year 7 student he had already made a positive impact on the school community and had settled in well, making many friends and showing great academic promise.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time."

Tom D'Rosario, one of Matthew's school friends, told BBC South East he was a nice person who had been "a friend to everyone".

Flowers and Matthew's football shirt from last season have been placed in tribute at the scene of the accident.

Glenn Davis, manager for Fleetdown United's Under 12s team, described him as "the most likeable boy in the world".

Friends have placed tributes to Matthew Hobbs at the scene

"Nobody could find anything about him to dislike," he said.

The bus firm, Arriva, said in a statement: "At around 0730 GMT today a Fastrack bus on Route B travelling towards Dartford collided with a boy on Princes Road, near Brooklands Lakes.

"Sadly we have been informed he has subsequently died.

"Arriva is cooperating fully with the authorities in the investigation of the incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with the relatives of the boy."

Spokesman Malcolm Spalding added that the woman driver of the bus had been treated in hospital and was very shocked.

Kent Police said roads in the surrounding area were closed after the incident, which was being investigated.