Buchanan students returned to school for the first time Tuesday with heavy hearts after a 12-year-old classmate died in an all-terrain vehicle accident in Niles Township over the weekend.

Dawson Eliason was killed when the ATV he was riding on private property struck a vehicle that was parked in a field in the 2300 block of Walton Road Sunday afternoon.

Supt. Andrea van der Laan said counselors were on hand all day Tuesday to help students and staff cope with the loss of the Buchanan Middle School seventh-grader.

“I think they (students and staff) made it through the day and kept things consistent and it looked like everybody did okay,” she said. “When you have a tragedy, you do your best to keep things consistent. The counselors were on call for students who needed it. If they needed it right away, they were sent to the counselor. Otherwise the counselor came and got them as needed. It was pretty much school as usual with support for those that needed it.”

The school district also sent home a letter to parents Tuesday signed by Mark Kurland, middle school principal, and Karla Hurlbutt, assistant principal.

In it, the district described the details about the accident and informed parents that counseling would be made available to their students.

“When a death occurs, it often helps a young person to discuss it,” the letter reads. “You may notice that your child may wish to discuss the death with you. As always, please feel free to call the school so our staff can assist you in dealing with this sad situation.”

The letter closed by saying that information regarding funeral arrangements will be provided when it becomes available.