ROCKLAND, Maine — A wave of pure anguish has slammed the tight-knit community of Rockland, Maine, following a gut-wrenching tragedy that claimed the life of 12-year-old Brayden Callahan. The Oceanside Middle School student, who his family lovingly called “Bray,” was fatally struck by the very school bus that had just dropped him off last Friday afternoon. The devastating incident, which happened around 2:20 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Eliza Steele Drive, has left a gaping hole in the community and fueled a fierce demand for accountability.
According to Brayden’s family and neighbors, the situation is even more heartbreaking because they feel this was a disaster waiting to happen. For years, community members claim they had been raising red flags about the behavior of the bus driver. “We’ve all been trying to get him out of here,” one distraught parent told local outlets, echoing the sentiment that this terrible loss “could have been avoided.” Another neighbor simply called the whole ordeal “negligent at the very least,” driving home the outrage that this bright, loving child is gone.
The family and friends of Brayden Callahan hug after setting up a makeshift memorial for the 12-year-old boy who died Nov. 21 at this location on Broadway in Rockland. (Midcoast Villager photo by Stephen Betts)The shocking final moments of Brayden’s life are still under investigation. The 12-year-old was reportedly struck by both sets of the rear tires shortly after exiting the bus. One of his classmates’ mothers relayed the horrifying details as the boy’s neighbor saw the accident unfold. Within minutes, first responders rushed Brayden to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, including a shattered pelvis, severe internal bleeding, and multiple broken bones. His mother, Kelly Morse, received the devastating news that her son faced permanent disabilities if he survived—but the young boy sadly succumbed to his injuries later that evening, leaving his family completely shattered.
In the wake of the tragedy, new details have surfaced. Police have identified the bus driver as Jeffrey Colburn, an RSU 13 employee since August 2016. The investigation is ongoing, with Rockland Police coordinating with the Knox County District Attorney’s Office and receiving assistance from the Maine State Police. Their findings will ultimately determine whether criminal charges will be filed against the driver. Amidst the intense scrutiny, police acknowledged the long-standing community concerns about the driver but have not yet released his full history or commented on how it will factor into the final report.
The grief in Rockland is raw and palpable. At the intersection where the young boy was hit, a spontaneous and heartfelt memorial has sprung up. Flowers, handwritten notes, toys, and stuffed animals now serve as a powerful tribute to a boy remembered as being “wise beyond his years.” His grandmother, Peggy DeVarney, struggling to comprehend the loss, voiced a question echoing through the town: “How could this happen… with all the safety features these buses have?”
In a show of support for the grieving town, RSU 13 has taken steps to help students and staff cope with the sudden loss. Superintendent John McDonald announced the closure of all district schools on the Monday and Tuesday following the accident, though two schools were kept open for a few hours each morning to provide counseling and grieving services. The district has also seen an increased police presence, partly due to reports of potential community protests, including one near the bus parking lot.
As the community wrestles with the pain and the unanswered questions, a GoFundMe page has been established to help Brayden’s family with the unexpected funeral expenses. For now, Rockland is left to grieve a child gone far too soon, clinging to the memories of ‘Bray’ while anxiously awaiting the conclusion of the investigation—a search for truth and accountability that everyone hopes will prevent another family from enduring this same, unimaginable loss.
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