Boy, 9, dies after being swept away by floodwater while walking to bus stop
Gabriel Andrews' body was found half a mile from where he was caught in the rising water in Hickory Hills, Kentucky, at around 6.30am this morning
A nine-year -old boy tragically lost his life after being swept away in floodwater while on his way to his school bus stop. Gabriel Andrews' body was discovered half a mile from where he was caught in the rising water.
The tragic incident happened in Hickory Hills, Kentucky, at around 6.30am this morning. It comes as parts of the United States are experiencing what weather experts have described as horrific weather conditions. Emergency services, including police, fire and ambulance workers, launched a major search operation, with Gabriel's body recovered at 8.45am.
Gabriel was declared dead by a coroner half an hour later.
Franklin County Schools Superintendent Mark Kopp referred to the incident as a "horrific tragedy" and said prayers are being offered for the boy's family. "We are deeply saddened at this horrific tragedy that claimed the life of one of our students," he posted on Facebook. The entire Franklin County School System is praying for the family and friends of those directly affected by the events this morning.
"We are more than a school system, we are a family at Franklin County Schools, and we share this loss together. At this time, we are working with support staff at our schools and offering services to our students, faculty, and staff who need assistance during this time. We are eternally grateful for our community first responders from both city and county agencies who selflessly responded to assist in this situation."
Mayor Layne Wilkerson has expressed her deepest sympathies following the devastating tornado in Tennessee. "On behalf of the entire City of Frankfort, we want to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and everyone directly impacted by this tragedy this morning," she remarked.
She continued, "A tragedy such as this is felt by our entire community and we all grieve together. We want to thank all of our community first responders, Frankfort Police Department, Fire and EMS, Emergency Management, and our partners at Franklin County for their rapid response. We encourage our community to be diligent and stay safe during this weekend's continuing severe weather event."
Communities across several states are struggling after tornadoes obliterated neighbourhoods, resulting in at least seven fatalities earlier in the week. Weather experts have issued alerts for what could be "catastrophic" conditions due to successive heavy rainstorms expected across the central US until Saturday, reports the Mirror.
Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky saw relentless thunderstorms, appearing like a procession of freight trains in satellite images provided by Maryland's national Weather Prediction Centre.
In Kentucky, Hopkinsville, a city of 31,000 residents located 72 miles northwest of Nashville, experienced extensive flooding. By afternoon, local firefighters had carried out rescues of around a dozen people and in excess of 40 pets from inundated homes.
Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam reported on the severe flooding, saying: "The main arteries through Hopkinsville are probably 2 feet under water," and added, "So the mayor has closed downtown down for all traffic. Our office is actually in the middle of it, and we were here before the water rose. So there's only one way we could get out."
Local business owner Tony Kirves, alongside friends, battled the deluge with sandbags and a vacuum to protect his photography shop from the encroaching waters in Hopkinsville. Describing the scene, he said, Downtown was "like a lake," and asserted, "We're holding ground," emphasising their efforts by adding, "We're trying to maintain and keep it out the best we can."