A student died after a large video display board fell and struck the student at Riviera Elementary School in Palm Bay. School staff called 911 at once and began emergency lifesaving measures before the student was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Janet Murnaghan, the chief strategic communications officer for BPS, said the student died after being taken to the hospital. She said, "We are devastated by this unimaginable loss," and added, "Our deepest condolences are with the student's family, loved ones, classmates and everyone in our school community who is grieving."
Brevard Public Schools Response
Brevard Public Schools said additional support and counseling services will be available to students and staff in the days ahead. The district also said it would not release more information about the student out of privacy for the family, and Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Rendell said he met with the student's family to offer support.
Rendell said, "I’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and I really couldn’t find the words to share with them my grief and the grief that all of us have," and added, "You know as parents, you never want to face this tragic situation and unfortunately that family is, and our family too."
Palm Bay Police
Palm Bay police said investigators are looking into how the incident happened. Deputy chief Nicholas Szczepanski said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody that was involved in this tragic accident." The inquiry leaves one urgent question for Riviera Elementary School in Palm Bay: what caused the large video display board to fall.
Riviera Elementary Memorial
A memorial has started to take shape outside the school, with stuffed animals, toys and flowers placed there. Palm Bay resident David Fansin said, "To have such a young life lost, it’s just an absolute shame," and added, "Prayers and thoughts go out to the family of everyone involved."
