Somerset community mourns young boy killed on bike
By: Scott Cook
Email: scook@abc6.com
Twitter: @JScottCook
SOMERSET, M.A. (WLNE) — The young boy who was struck and killed by a car as he crossed Poppasquash Road in Bristol, has been identified as six–year–old Mason Sterne of Somerset, Mass.
Mason was going to be a first-grader at Chace Street Elementary School in Somerset.
Now, the school is trying to help its community mourn, while making sure Mason is remembered forever.
Grief counselors were on hand Thursday morning at Chace Street School, helping parents and students deal with the tragic news.
"He was a great, great kid, everybody loved him,” said Tim Plante, principal of Chace Street School.
“It’s a tough, tough loss."
Mason was on a bike ride with his family Tuesday afternoon on the East Bay Bike Path in Bristol, when he was hit by a car while crossing Poppasquash Road.
"He was one of those students that always had a smile on his face,” Plante recalled.
“He would always say hi to everyone. Every time he saw me, he would come give me a hug. That’s what I’ll remember most.”
The school will have grief counselors available for the community on Friday as well.
Teachers, administrators, and parents are brainstorming other ways to honor and remember Mason.
"As a school, we will definitely do something for the family,” said Plante. “It’s just try and get through the next few days, and then we will put our heads together to try and figure out the best thing to do."
Meanwhile, back at the bike path, a memorial continues to grow, and online, fundraisers have been set up to help the family.
"Like I said, the Chace Street community, we’re tight–knit,” said Plante. “They care about the family, they care about their kids. We will come together and get through this and help the family as much as we can."
Somerset Middle School will also have grief counselors on hand Thursday night from 6:00 pm until 7:30, as that is where Mason’s sister attends school.
Mason’s wake will be held Sunday.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018
