Principals remember student killed by bus | News

Lakeland, Florida - It's a difficult day at Lakeland High School as staff and students mourn the death of 14-year-old Katlyn Rickman.

The freshman was hit while crossing Beacon Road in Lakeland Tuesday afternoon. She was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where she died.

"She had touched many people, and many different families, so I've had a lot of staff members and community members reach out and ask if there is anything the family needs," says Tracy Collins, principal at Lakeland High School, who adds it's been very emotional for everyone.

Even she, a mother herself, teared up thinking about the loss of this young life.

"It's just hard all around, even if it were somewhere 1,000 miles away, your heart just breaks, because it's tragic and a young, beautiful sweet girl."

Katlyn's middle school principal, John Wilson says Katlyn was very involved at school - she was in the band in middle school and very excited to be a part of TV production.

"It was just up here last week talking about how she was continuing to enjoy being a part of that program at Lakeland High School."

Grief counselors are at the high school for students who may have found out this morning or who need help dealing with her death.

"You just try and wrap your mind around this senseless situation and rely a lot on faith," says Collins.

The driver of the bus, 43-year-old Virginia Robinson, was a substitute driver who has been the school district since August 2011. Officials say she has a good record and has never had any problems on the before.

Lakeland police continue to investigate the incident.

Two memorial Facebook pages have been set up in Katlyn Rickman's honor. Click here or here to leave your condolences.