The Columbian | Serving Clark County, Washington

A Vancouver man was killed Wednesday night when he was run over by a small bus.

The accident occurred at about 8:15 p.m. in the Petermann Northwest bus barn parking lot, 1304 S.E. Eaton Blvd., in Battle Ground. Petermann Northwest is the private school bus contractor for the Battle Ground and Hockinson school districts.

Almaz Kucukovic, 51, was run over by a small 1994 Ford bus the company used as a shop truck. Kucukovic, a mechanic, drove the bus to a parked school bus with a dead battery. When he exited the bus, it began rolling in reverse. Kucukovic attempted to re-enter the bus to gain control but slipped and fell into the path of the bus, according to a Washington State Patrol report.

The bus rolled over Kucukovic, who died immediately from internal and head injuries, according to WSP.

Kucukovic had worked for Petermann Northwest for two years, according to Battle Ground Public Schools.

“It was a tragic accident. All of us here are in a state of shock,” Petermann manager Mike Gately said in a news release. “Almaz was a hard-working family man. We are deeply saddened by the loss.”

Kucukovic leaves behind a wife and three children, one of whom is still living at home.

Two Battle Ground school district counselors went to the Petermann facility Thursday morning to offer support and counseling to colleagues and friends of Kucukovic’s.

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