FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The 9-year-old Kentucky boy who died in a flood while walking to board a school bus was remembered by his classroom teacher as “the sweetest, kindest boy.”
Gabriel Andrews’ death surprised residents of the Bluegrass capital. The boy was caught in a flood while walking to the bus stop early Friday, police said. After a major search, his body was found about two hours after being notified to police.
“My heart is broken for this family,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Besher said in a social media post.
Gabriel’s teacher Casey Swiles said her “family in the classroom was taken away from us.” She called him “the sweetest and kindest boy whom she didn’t love.”
In a social media post Friday, she said Gabriel “loved basketball and anything related to a police car who did his best in every job he was given. Everyone was a friend.”
“Being a teacher means pouring out or loving on another person’s child, just as you belong to you,” she writes. “And today was the most heartbreaking day of my educational career.”
Gabriel’s death sparked questions from those wondering why Franklin County School District chose not to cancel in-person classes when it was strong The storm produced flash floods.
Caitlin Green, a parent of Franklin County, was among those confused by the decision.
“You’re taking the chance. You know, without knowing whether these kids will take this weather on a bus and come across the flooded ocean,” she told Lexington television station WDKY.
Several other school districts in the area cancelled their classes on Friday.
Franklin County School Principal Mark Kopp said the boy’s death was a “terrifying tragedy.”
“We’re more than a school system, we’re a family at a school in Franklin County, and we share this loss together,” the director said.
The district did not respond to social media comments from parents raising concerns that classes were held despite floods in the area.
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