On Friday, November 17, 2023, at Centennial Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona, a nine-year-old fourth grader lost her life after a large metal gate fell onto her.
The incident, as reported by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, occurred at 2:20 pm. The victim, a child named Arlette, was engaged in closing the gate when the tragedy struck and she was crushed under the gate.
Responders, including deputies and paramedics from the Northwest Fire Department, arrived swiftly at the scene to administer emergency medical attention. Despite these efforts, Arlette was declared deceased at a local hospital due to her injuries.
The sheriff’s department is thoroughly investigating the events leading to the accident, particularly focusing on how the gate became detached from its mountings.
The Flowing Wells Unified School District, which includes Centennial Elementary, announced the sad news in a letter to the school community. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Stoltzfus expressed the profound impact of the event, saying, “This is a truly devastating time for our community.” He also noted the availability of extra counseling resources for students at the school.
In his final statement, Dr. Stoltzfus highlighted the shared sorrow within the school community and stressed the necessity of support during such a somber period.
The school has agreed to understand and accommodate the absences of students who are mourning, recognizing the significant emotional effects of the accident.
By Saturday, a makeshift memorial had started to take shape outside the school. Members of the community assembled to honor Arlette’s memory, placing balloons, flowers, and stuffed animals as tributes.
