BROCKTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Crews at Downey School in Brockton removed all of the light poles outside after one fell on top of a boy during recess on Wednesday.
Downey School administrators said the pole had rusted at its base, which made it collapse on 8-year-old Lamont Collins and knock him to the ground. Three teachers worked to lift the pole off Lamont and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital with bumps and bruises.
The Brockton School District said the light poles at the school date back to the 1970s. The rest of the poles were removed from the school and replacements have already been ordered.
Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter said the lights at other schools in the city will be inspected to make sure they are safe. Lamont’s mother Melissa Rivera said she wants to know why they were not looked at sooner, especially if they were that old.
“It it didn’t happen to him, it would have happened the next day or next week,” said Rivera.
Lamont is now recovering at home and said his back is sore. Rivera said he should be able to go back to school Monday.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)