FRANKFORT, Ky. — The community in Kentucky’s capital city was left in shock following the tragic passing of a 9-year-old boy, Gabriel Andrews, who lost his life in floodwaters while walking to his school bus stop. His classroom teacher, Kasey Swails, mourned his loss, describing Gabriel as the “sweetest, kindest boy” and an irreplaceable part of her classroom community.
As Gabriel made his way to the bus stop Friday morning, he was swept away by floodwaters, as confirmed by local authorities. Despite a thorough search initiated shortly after he was reported missing, Gabriel’s lifeless body was discovered approximately two hours later. Heartbreak rippled through the community, with Kentucky’s Governor, Andy Beshear, expressing his condolences via social media, stating, “my heart breaks for this family.”
Kasey Swails, Gabriel’s teacher, expressed her grief through a heartfelt social media post. She fondly remembered Gabriel for his love of basketball and fascination with police cars, highlighting his determination and friendliness. She pointed out the emotional challenge of going through such a loss as an educator, writing, “Being a teacher means you pour into and love on someone else’s kid like they are your own. And today has been the most heartbreaking day in my teaching career.”
Gabriel’s untimely death raised concerns about the school district’s decision to proceed with in-person classes despite adverse weather conditions. Caitlin Green, a parent from Franklin County, echoed the concerns of others who questioned the wisdom of allowing children to travel in such dangerous conditions. “You’re taking the chance on, you know, putting these kids on a bus through this weather, not knowing, you know, if they’re going to run into flooded waters,” she remarked to the local TV station.
In contrast, other districts in the region opted to cancel classes that day. Reflecting on the tragedy, Franklin County schools Superintendent Mark Kopp recognized the devastating impact on the community, referring to the boy’s death as a “horrific tragedy.” He reinforced the notion of a strong community bond, saying, “We are more than a school system, we are a family at Franklin County Schools, and we share this loss together.” However, the school district has yet to respond to criticisms on social media regarding their decision to hold classes despite the flooding.