Big Walnut student hit by homecoming parade float in life-threatening condition
A student in the Big Walnut Local School District has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after he was hit by a truck Friday evening near the Delaware County high school during its homecoming parade.
As the parade was progressing around 7 p.m. Friday on North Miller Drive, near the entrance to Big Walnut High School, the boy fell while walking next to a truck hauling a parade float and being driven by a 78-year-old Newark man, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The boy was hit by the vehicle's tires and was rushed to Nationwide Children's Hospital in critical condition, the patrol said.
According to a GoFundMe fundraising page, organized by a family member, the boy suffered "several facial bone fractures, a pelvic fracture, many broken ribs, (and a) laceration to his liver."
In an email to The Dispatch, Big Walnut Schools Superintendent Ryan McLane said he did not have an update on the boy's condition as of Saturday morning.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the student and his family," McLane said. "I want to thank our staff, students, and community members who were on the scene and assisted when the event happened."
McLane said counselors were available for staff and students Friday night, and additional counselors will be available Monday morning at the high school.
The Delaware County post of the state highway patrol is investigating the crash.
As of Saturday afternoon, the GoFundMe fundraiser had well surpassed its $1,000 goal, raising nearly $40,500.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Big Walnut student hospitalized after crash during homecoming parade
