2nd Grader Dies in Freak Accident in School Drop-Off Line, Authorities Say

Mar. 15, 2025

Gateway Elementary School, located in the Texas panhandle town of Borger.Photo:Google Maps

Google Maps

A Texas community has been left reeling after the accidental death of a local second grader.

According to theBorger Police Department, officers and medical personnel were called to Gateway Elementary School — located in the Texas panhandle town of Borger, about 50 miles northeast of Amarillo — at around 8 a.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 24, after an incident was reported at the student drop-off area.

In a press release shared to Facebook, police said that the second grader’s coat was caught in a vehicle door as they were exiting. School officials began attempting life-saving measures on the child, police added, and EMS transported the child to Golden Plains Community Hospital, where they died.

“Despite the presence of a senior school administrator who immediately attempted to intervene, the incident happened so quickly that it could not be stopped,” the Borger PD said.

The department added that they would not be releasing the name of the child due to their age and “out of respect for the family.”

Assistant city manager and public information officer Brandon Strope told PEOPLE in a statement that local authorities are considering the incident a “tragic accident,” Police “do not have any reason to believe that criminal charges will be filed,” he added.

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In a statement shared to theBorger Independent School District Facebook page, the district said that the parents of the student had been notified and that school was let out at 10 a.m. the day of the accident.

Golden Plains Community Hospital, where the child was taken following the accident.Golden Plains Hospital/Facebook

Golden Plains Hospital/Facebook

Community members from across the area have since come together to honor the student’s life, setting up a memorial full of flowers, balloons and stuffed animals outside the entrance of the elementary school. According to local outletKFDA, the area’s local Walmart is donating stuffed animals for the memorial.

“Being in a small town and seeing the community come together is what makes being here in a time like this bearable, Strope said, perKFDA. “You know, we have seen a great outpouring of support on social media of those saying, ‘Hey, we’re there for you. We feel for you. We can’t imagine what you’re going through.'”

source: people.com