On the last day of school before spring break, 9-year-old Gabriel Andrews woke up before the sunrise to catch his school bus to Hearn Elementary School. He left his house at 6:35 a.m. but never got on the bus. Sadly, floodwaters swept Gabriel away near the Hickory Hills area of Kentucky. After several severe storms impacted the Midwest, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, Gabriel marks the 17th person who has lost their life across several states.
Although some believe his death was a blameless tragedy, others are pointing fingers at the school district.
Volunteers helped look for Gabriel.
Someone called the Frankfort Police Department to report that floodwaters were carrying Gabriel away, the Lexington Herald Leader reported. Authorities began a search and rescue mission. Volunteers also joined the efforts. Gabriel’s body was found two hours later at 8:47 a.m., one-half mile from where he was last seen, according to The Mirror. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene.
Gabriel’s teacher said he was ‘impossible not to love.’
After the school district shared the news of his death, Gabriel’s teacher, Kasey Swails, memorialized the boy on her Facebook page. “Today an important part of that classroom family was taken from us,” Swails wrote. “The sweetest, kindest boy who was impossible not to love. Who loved basketball and anything to do with a police car, who tried his best at any task given to him. Who was a friend to all.”
Swails wrote that learning of Gabriel’s death was the “most heartbreaking day of her teaching career,” adding, “I just want to squeeze each of my babies a little tighter and remind them how much I love them. Please keep his family as well as my kiddos in your prayers as we all navigate this horrific tragedy.”
There were rumors the school was closed for the day.
Some parents believe the district should have delayed or cancelled classes that day because of the flash flood warning. The district did cancel two school bus routes earlier that morning, CNN reported. There were rumors that schools were closed on Friday. The district dispelled the rumors with a notice.
“We are hearing rumors that some social media posts are falsely reporting that some FCS Schools are in lockdown,” the statement read. “This is false. All schools are operating normally and there are no lockdowns in the district.”
Superintendent Mark Kopp said the district is offering resources for affected students and staff.
Neighbors in Gabriel’s apartment complex claimed he would have needed to hop a drain in order to reach his bus stop – and it’s probably the one that swept him away, WLKY reported. Superintendent Mark Kopp shared his condolences in a written statement, posted on Facebook.
“We are deeply saddened that this horrific tragedy has claimed the life of one of our students,” it began, per CNN. “At this time, we are working with support staff at our schools and offering services to our students, faculty, and staff.” The statement did not address the school’s decision to remain open that day.
