A 9-year-old boy walking to his bus stop on the way to school in Frankfort, Kentucky, died Friday morning after he was swept away by floodwaters.
The National Weather Service had projected that the Frankfort area was due for 3 to 4 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday night.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had declared a state of emergency, though Franklin County Schools, which the victim attended, remained open. Before Friday night, 4.5 to 5.5 inches fell in the county, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
The Frankfort Police Department got word that the victim was caught in the flood at around 6:35 a.m., with cops arriving in the area fast to try to rescue the boy. They found him dead at 8:45 a.m., FPD Assistant Chief Scott Tracy said at a news conference Friday.
The victim was identified by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office as Gabriel Andrews, reported WLEX-TV.
“We are deeply saddened at this horrific tragedy that claimed the life of one of our students. The entire Franklin County School System is praying for the family and friends of those directly affected by the events this morning,” FCS Superintendent Mark Kopp said at the press conference.
He told the Herald-Leader that he was not yet able to address concerns expressed by district parents on social media that classes were still being held in person despite the downpour and flooding in Franklin County.
“I think Franklin County should have called schools off. They did call certain bus routes out. But I mean, at 6 a.m. this morning, we had lightning and thunder. You’re taking the chance on, you know, putting these kids on a bus through this weather,” Caitlin Green, whose son attended school with Gabriel, told WDKY-TV.
Mr. Beshear wrote on social media, “My heart breaks for this family. Please join Britainy and me in praying for them following this unimaginable loss.”
