A 9-year-old girl was killed by a garbage truck after it struck her down and dragged her body several metres. The Tuesday morning tragedy left the residents of Bonitto Heights in Mandeville, Manchester, distraught, as well as Villa Road Primary School, where the child attended.
Reports say that the victim, Amoya Moore, was hit by the truck around 7 a.m. According to preliminary reports, the 4th-grade student was walking down a hill near her home when a garbage truck approached. The truck was carrying out its routine solid-waste collection in the area when it suddenly struck the child. When Amoya fell to the ground, the truck ran her over and hauled her body along the road a few metres away until it came to a stop.
After the incident, emergency responders were called to the scene. The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) later identified the compactor truck as one assigned to SPM Waste Management Limited. Authorities seized the truck for inspection at the Mandeville examination depot.
Amoya’s father, seemingly dressed in his work clothes, broke into tears at the scene. He said he received a call telling him to rush home, but the caller refrained from saying what happened. When he arrived, he was informed of the tragedy.
Along with residents, the incident drew political figures and school leaders, including Amoya’s principal, Brent James. James described the Villa Road Primary School as distraught. He expressed that he was very close to the child and saw her as his own daughter. James went on to describe the 9-year-old as a jovial, respectful, and helpful child.
He added that she was heading to school and greeted the solid waste workers moments before the incident. While the initial reports did not mention if she was headed to school, disturbing photos of the scene apparently show Amoya in her uniform.
The Villa Road Primary community will have grief counselling support available, according to Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Rhoda Moy-Crawford.
The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) released a statement, describing the incident as saddening and expressing condolences to the child’s loved ones.
