Student injured by ceiling fan at the St. Croix Educational Complex receives treatment at the Juan F. Luis Hospital. The student is said to be in stable condition.
Editor's Note: We have obtained a photo showing the injury sustained by the student as a result of the falling ceiling fan. In an unusual step for us, we will be using this image, which some might find disturbing, as the feature for this article. We believe it is important to share this in order to underscore the consequences of not taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of school facilities. Just weeks ago, school officials, along with other government leaders, toured facilities and declared them safe. This incident highlights the urgent need for continued vigilance and accountability in maintaining the safety of our schools.
ST. CROIX — A student at the St. Croix Educational Complex was injured on Thursday, when a ceiling fan fell during class, marking the first of two unrelated incidents requiring medical assistance at the school that day, according to the V.I. Department of Education.
The male student sustained an injury to his side when the ceiling fan fell during a morning class period. He was the only person injured in the incident. The school nurse provided medical assistance, and the student's parent was notified. The student was later transported to the Juan F. Luis Medical Center's emergency room, where he received stitches and is now in stable condition.
St. Croix Insular Superintendent, Dr. Sharlene Belton-Gonzalez, confirmed that she spoke with the student's parent, who assured her that the student is recovering well. Education officials saids an investigation into the cause of the falling ceiling fan is underway, and that the department is conducting a comprehensive assessment of all ceiling fans throughout the school to prevent future incidents.
In a separate, unrelated incident, a female student arrived at the school, attended her classes, and later reported feeling unwell. Following an evaluation by the school nurse, it was recommended that she receive further medical attention. An Assistant Principal accompanied the student to the emergency room, and her parents were notified. The student has since received medical care, and the cause of her illness is currently being investigated, according to VIDE.
The department said the safety and well-being of all students are a top priority. School administrators and district leadership are maintaining communication with the families of both students and will continue to monitor their recovery, according to the release.
