A Kentucky community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 9-year-old Gabriel Andrews, who tragically lost his life Friday morning after being swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus stop in Franklin County.
Authorities say Gabriel was caught in the fast-moving water during a period of intense flash flooding. His body was recovered roughly two hours after officials were alerted. The incident has sparked grief and growing questions about why schools remained open during such dangerous weather conditions.
Gabriel was remembered by his teacher, Kasey Swails, as a joyful and compassionate student who brought light to her classroom every day.
“He was the sweetest, kindest boy — impossible not to love,” she shared on social media. “He loved basketball and anything involving police cars. He tried his best at everything and was a friend to everyone.”
Swails added that Friday marked the most devastating day of her teaching career. “Being a teacher means loving someone else’s child like your own,” she said, deeply shaken by the tragedy.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “My heart breaks for this family.”
As the community grapples with the loss, many are questioning why Franklin County Schools did not cancel in-person classes despite forecasts of severe storms and flash flooding. Several neighboring districts opted to close schools as a precaution.
Caitlin Green, a Franklin County parent, voiced her concern in an interview with Lexington’s WDKY. “You’re taking a risk putting these kids on buses through dangerous weather. You don’t know if they’ll run into flooded roads,” she said.
Franklin County Schools Superintendent Mark Kopp called Gabriel’s death a “horrific tragedy” and said the district is grieving alongside the community. “We are more than a school system; we are a family. And we share this loss together,” he stated.
However, the district has yet to respond to public questions about why classes were not canceled that day, even as the area faced a clear threat of flooding.
As families across Kentucky reflect on this heartbreaking event, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing student safety during extreme weather conditions.
