Car strikes dirt bike, injuring student near Kennedy Middle School

A student riding a dirt bike was struck by a car Thursday afternoon near Kennedy Middle School during dismissal time, prompting a large emergency response, officials and witnesses said.

The crash happened about 2:30 p.m. near Lexington Street and College Farm Road as students were leaving school, according to Waltham police. An off-duty Waltham Police officer who was nearby arrived quickly and began providing first aid with help from school administrators and teachers until emergency crews reached the scene.

Waltham police and fire personnel and Armstrong Ambulance responded. Witnesses said several bystanders also stopped to help and stayed with the injured student. One person said her cousin held the student’s hand until his mother arrived. Another described Lexington Street as “very busy” at the time and commended the quick response from police and school staff.

The student was conscious and alert after the crash and was taken to a hospital in Boston with injuries, witnesses said. Photos from the scene showed a damaged Toyota sedan and a dirt bike lying in the roadway as officers investigated.

Police said the crash remains under investigation.