A child was swiftly taken to the hospital this week after a section of the school ceiling collapsed on him. The incident occurred at George Washington Elementary School in Hanford, California. Emergency responders, including police, firefighters, and an ambulance, arrived promptly to the scene on Monday, November 10, following the roof collapse. Another student was also hospitalized due to injuries from the incident but was discharged the same day.
The young boy involved, James Harrah, 8, was waiting to be picked up when part of the ceiling stucco from the school’s outdoor amphitheater suddenly gave way. According to reports from ABC 7, James suffered a concussion, a broken bone, and is currently wearing a sling for his arm injuries.
Recalling the frightening event, James mentioned, “All I remember is when I was going out from school, the roof fell on me.” His mother, Diana Harrah, explained that the roof collapsed as James was walking past the amphitheater. She described the terrifying moment when pieces of the ceiling landed on her son, causing him to fall.
The Harrah family expressed their fear and concern over the incident. James’s father, Shawn, rushed to the school upon hearing the news to check on his son and provide comfort. As a precaution, Hanford Elementary School District has decided to suspend in-person classes until at least December 1, with students transitioning to remote learning during this period.
District officials mentioned their gratitude for the swift response of the school staff and emergency services. They stated, “We’ve chosen to close the campus temporarily and activate our emergency learning plan.” The officials also shared their anticipation of welcoming students back to campus at the beginning of December.
Looking ahead, James is eager to reunite with his friends once classes resume. He humorously mentioned, “I think they might be impressed because a roof fell on me.”
