An unspeakable tragedy occurred at Roxborough High School this past Thursday morning, when a 73-year-old woman was killed by a falling light pole while walking on the school track. According to NBC Philadelphia, the accident happened at approximately 11:08 a.m. The Philadelphia School District spokesperson confirmed the woman was a member of the school community and her car was on site.
Police are looking to determine whether the day's weather conditions aided to violently knock over the pole, but as of now, uncertainty shrouds the cause. The force of the weather that day was highlighted by FOX 29, which reported high winds gusting through the area at the time of the incident. After efforts by paramedics to provide emergency care on the scene, the woman was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead at approximately 12:15 p.m., according to the school district's disclosure.
Subsequent measures have been put in place to prevent future occurrences of this nature. The district has suspended all outdoor activities at Roxborough's field and has pledged "to working with appropriate agencies to inspect and assess wooden poles across District facilities and suspending all outdoor activities on Roxborough’s field until further notice," as they stated in a release obtained by NBC Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the community expresses shock and fear; a local resident, Emily McCue told NBC Philadelphia, "We go to this track all the time with the dogs. I was worried it was one of our neighbors. I don’t know who it is, but I heard about it. It’s very scary."
Further investigation into the pole's condition has revealed some alarming details. Officials note the pole snapped at its base during the high winds, and its proximity to a rain runoff drain is speculated to be a factor. FOX 29 reported that inspectors are considering whether a combination of dry rot in the wooden pole, potentially weakened by water flow and rainwater backup around it, played a role in the tragic event. The full weight of the pole, compounded with an attached heavy power electric break box, was estimated to be around one ton.
In the wake of the event, Roxborough High School students were sent home with letters to their parents detailing the situation, ensuring that the families were apprised of the tragic circumstance and the steps being taken to guarantee the safety of all students, staff, and community members moving forward.
