Tiny community mourns boy killed by bus

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A little boy, who was struck and killed by a church bus in Buffalo, came to this country with his family hoping for a better life, but he was taken away too soon.

By all accounts, 10-year-old Darpan Niroula was a wonderful little boy who had come to Buffalo with his family from a refugee camp in Nepal. His young life ended suddenly
in front of his house.

A candlelight memorial now sits at the doorstep of the Niroula home at Prospect and Rhode Island on Buffalo's west side. Darpan was struck and killed by a church day care bus, according to Buffalo Police, at around 5 p.m. Thursday, just a few yards from his home. His brother had been walking him home from a friend's house. His brother was taking the lead crossing the street.

Darpan's brother, Chandra Niroula, said, "When we crossed the road, I'm in the first, he's in my back. I think he's in my back."

He thinks the woman driving the church van, which was carrying some children inside, may not have stopped, but says she was traveling slowly.

"I think that bus did not stop, but that bus come like, slowly. Yeah, but when I looked back, he's in the ground. Fall back like that," said Chandra.

Buffalo Police investigators say the female driver is cooperating and that alcohol does not seem to be involved. She was driving for The Greater Works Christian Fellowship, which is planning a prayer vigil in memory of Darpan.

The child had come to Buffalo with his family from a refugee camp in Nepal. Many have fled from the oppression in Bhutan. The Bhutanese community in Buffalo, about 18,00 people, is tight knit. Many have responded to Thursday night's tragedy.

Ann Brittain of the Catholic Charities Refugee Assistance Program said, "People kept coming and coming and coming to offer their sympathy. Some of the members of the community came in and immediately began to fix some food."

Darpon was a child described as "full of life," who had adjusted well to life in Buffalo.

His brother said, "He want to be like the police officer."

Family friend Birash Bhandari added, "He's friendly. He loved to play the computer games and he liked to be at friend's house, like that."

Catholic Charities has set up a fund for the family, to cover expenses related to Darpan's funeral. If you want to help, follow this link.