5-year-old boy dies after large video display board falls on him at school: 'Tragic'
A 5-year-old boy died after a large video display board that had been mounted on a wall at his Florida elementary school fell on him, school officials said.
The incident occurred midday Wednesday at Riviera Elementary School in Palm Bay, according to Brevard Public Schools. The board fell on the student, seriously injuring him, school officials said.
Faculty members started rendering aid to the student until first responders arrived and began life-saving measures, according to Palm Bay Police Deputy Chief Nicholas Szczepanski. The boy was transported to a hospital, where he died, Szczepanski said.
"On the surface, this appears to be a tragic accident," Szczepanski said at a press briefing Wednesday. "However, our investigators from our special victims unit, major case unit and our crime scene personnel are actively investigating."
Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Rendell called it a "tragic situation."
"We lost a life today, a precious young life, and there are no words to describe that loss," he said at the press briefing.
Rendell said he had spoken with the boy's family. School officials did not identify the student, saying they were not releasing additional information out of respect for the family's privacy.
The incident remains under investigation. A Palm Bay Police Department spokesperson said Thursday that they are "working to gather accurate facts" and do not have any further updates at this time.
Brevard Public Schools said it is "continuing to cooperate fully with law enforcement."
Promethean, the manufacturer of the video display board, said it has "begun a thorough investigation into this accident" and will "cooperate fully with school officials and any other authorities investigating this incident in every way we can."
"Nothing matters more to us than the safety of the students and teachers who use our products every day," a spokesperson for the company said in a statement, adding that they are "heartbroken" and "extend our deepest condolences" to the student's family and school community.
In a message to families on Thursday, Rendell said that the school district is inspecting all Promethean boards across its campuses "while we await the findings of the investigation."
"We understand that this tragedy may raise questions and concerns among families and staff about similar equipment in our schools," Rendell said, adding that the Promethean boards have been installed by a "licensed third-party vendor in accordance with manufacturer guidelines."
