SHALER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Seven students and two faculty members at Shaler Elementary School were injured when duct work fell through the cafeteria ceiling during lunchtime Tuesday.
The accident happened shortly after 11 a.m. at the school on Scott Avenue.
Several ambulances were called to the scene after the unit fell into the cafeteria during the fourth-grade lunch period.
"It was like this big thing, and it fell on the table, so I ran out the door," said fourth-grader Colby Keillor.
According to Channel 11 News exchange partners at TribLIVE, four of the injured students were treated and released from the hospital. Three other students are listed in fair condition.
There is no word on the names and conditions of the injured staff members.
As word of the accident began spreading around, many parents came to the school to pick up their children.
“I was filling a prescription for him and heard the news and flew right here,” Patience Damico said. “It’s crazy. Parents are extremely upset.”
The district released the following statement on the incident: “Today during 4th grade lunch, an air handler unit pipe suspended from the ceiling, fell and hit two faculty and 7 students. The injured were transported to three different local hospitals. Parents of the injured students were immediately contacted and were asked to accompany their child to their hospital or to meet the ambulance at the hospital. Other students were returned to their classroooms and had the opportunity to eat lunch. Support staff was on hand for additional support. Sign out procedures were in place for anyone who wanted to pick their children up early today. School will be canceled for ALL students at the Shaler Area Elementary School tomorrow, April 4.”
WPXI
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