A 12-year-old girl is in critical condition after an accident on her first day back at school

A 12-year-old girl is in critical condition after an accident on her first day back at school, where she was accidentally run over by her mother.

The incident occurred on Monday, August 12, around 7:45 a.m. local time, as the mother was dropping her daughter off at Booker Middle School in Sarasota, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), as reported by WFTS-TV.

The girl dropped her backpack and bent down to retrieve some school supplies that had rolled under her mother’s SUV, according to the outlet. Unfortunately, the mother, unaware of her daughter’s actions, started to drive away, accidentally running her over.

“She immediately stopped when she heard her child screaming,” FHP Trooper Kenn Watson told WFTS-TV. The girl was airlifted to the hospital with critical injuries. According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, the incident took place in the right turn lane on Myrtle Street, west of Newtown Boulevard.

WFTS-TV also reported that the 12-year-old was taken to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Watson commented, “Here we are, day one, and we’ve already had a tragedy. We’re hoping this does not happen again, but we have to remember to have good spatial awareness when you’re near a school zone, and especially when dropping your child off. Avoid being in a hurry and ensure you’re in the proper location when letting your kids out of the vehicle,” Watson urged, according to the outlet.

“This tragic event could have been entirely avoided with a bit more attention and not rushing.”

Booker Middle School’s principal, Rachel Frost, sent a message to parents confirming the accident and emphasised the importance of following safety procedures.

“This incident serves as a critical reminder of why it’s important to follow our established safety protocols,” Frost said. “Students should not be dropped off in the middle of Myrtle Street, as it poses a significant risk to their safety and the safety of others on the road. We ask all parents and guardians to use the designated drop-off area, known as the parent loop, to ensure students enter the school safely and maintain a secure environment for everyone,” the principal added.

Next Story