Community offers support following death of Midd-West student

Marcia Moore, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
·1 min read

Nov. 15—MIDDLEBURG — Midd-West High School students gathered Tuesday to sing 'Amazing Grace' and say a prayer for a classmate who died in a car accident Monday as grief counselors offered their support to mourners in the district.

Hayden L. Gipsen, 16, of Middleburg, died from injuries suffered when he crashed at 7:43 a.m. Monday into a tractor-trailer in the southbound lane of Route 104 at the intersection of Troxelville Road.

State police said the rig, operated by Jason L. Sones, 49, of Watsontown, had completed a turn into the northbound lane of Route 104 but the trailing unit was still in the southbound lane when Gipsen — who police did not identify — struck it and sustained a fatal injury.

Midd-West Superintendent Joe Stroup said six area school districts and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ministries offered counselors to help Gipsen's classmates deal with their grief.

"Kids have been very supportive of each other," he said. On Tuesday, several students gathered at the large staircase in the high school to sing and pray.

School administrators met Tuesday with Gipsen's family and Stroup said students who want to attend visitation Friday morning at Beavertown God's Missionary Church in Middleburg will be allowed with parents' permission.

Weikel Busing LLC of Selinsgrove has offered free transportation, he said.

"We have a great community," Stroup said of the outpouring of support that has been extended following the teen's death.