THE Moredon community has been left stunned following the tragic death of nine-year-old Caitlin Hunt on Tuesday.

Family liaison officers are in place to help Caitlin’s family through their grief, and Rodbourne Cheney Primary, where she went to school, are offering bereavement counselling to her friends and classmates.

Scores of flowers and tributes have been left at the site of the accident on Moredon Road, close to Blair Parade, since little Caitlin was struck by a bus shortly before 6pm.

One note from a friend named Tanya read: “To Caitlin, I am going to miss you so much. You are my bestest friend forever. I hope you are happy where you are going.”

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “The council’s Educational Psychology Service provides support to children and schools to meet the needs and wishes of the school and the people and families involved. “The service has made contact with the school and has provided what has been requested by the staff. “It will continue to give support, advice and guidance to any individual or group for as long as it’s needed.”

Nick Lines, the rector of St Mary’s Chuch in Moredon, is offering prayers and assistance to all affected by the tragedy.

“We here here for the people who are struggling personally over Caitlin’s death,” he said. “We are in contact with a lot of people who are grieving or may have been present when the incident happened.

“I think people are stunned and there is a sense that it is quite a hard thing to believe. Each person grieves differently and will have personal responses to this tragedy.

“It felt very quiet here yesterday, and when something like this happens there is a real sense of community grief. It is something that is shared by everyone.

“We will be offering our prayers for the family during all our services.”

The event is being treated as a tragic accident, and the driver of the bus involved is being given support from Thamesdown Transport to help him through what is a very difficult time.

A spokesman for Thamesdown said: “We are continuing to support the driver and it is still very early to be able to confirm when he will feel able to return to work.

“As with all of our staff who are involved in serious accidents, we offer counseling though our chaplain, as well as professional counseling. “Getting back to work is always taken at the employee’s own pace and we work with them to ensure nothing is taken too quickly, as people understandably react in different ways.

“When any staff member involved in a traumatic incident is able to return, any extra support that might be needed is provided through our training school, as well as mentoring once they resume their duties.”

The neighbourhood policing team, with the traffic police, are also on hand to help the community during their investigations.

Spt Andrew Carr said: “This is just a tragic accident, there is no other way to look at it. “The serious collision investigation team have taken control because they know all the right questions to ask.”