A nine-year-old boy tragically died after being swept away by floodwaters while trying to catch his school bus.
A young boy died after being swept away by floodwaters on the way to school. Credit: Jason Davis / Getty
Gabriel Andrews, a student in Franklin County, was last seen on Friday (April 4) around 6:35AM near his home in Frankfort.
Authorities have said he never made it to the stop.
“It had been reported that he had been caught in floodwaters in the area of Hickory Hills while walking to the school bus stop,” Frankfort Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy said, per CNN.
First responders immediately launched an “extensive search-and-rescue operation,” joined by volunteers, and roughly two hours later, at 8:47AM, Gabriel’s body was discovered about half a mile away from where he had reportedly been swept off his path, Franklin County Coroner William C. Harrod confirmed.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his sorrow. “My heart breaks for this family. Please join Britainy and me in praying for them following this unimaginable loss.”
“We need everyone to understand that all water poses a risk right now. Let’s do everything possible to keep our loved ones safe,” he added.
Deadly storms swept the central US, unleashing tornadoes, over a foot of rain, and severe flooding. Credit: Jason Davis / Getty
The tragedy unfolded just hours after the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning covering 13 counties – including Franklin – due to torrential rains.
The bulletin, sent out at 12:29AM Friday, specifically warned of flooding in creeks, streams, highways, underpasses, and low-lying areas. The warning remained in effect until 8:30AM, just minutes before the little boy was found.
Despite the alert, Franklin County Schools remained open. Around 5:00AM, the district posted a notice canceling only two bus routes due to flooding, advising families to contact schools if students couldn’t attend.
“If your child rides one of these buses and is unable to attend school, please contact your child’s school,” the district said in a message shared on Facebook. “Thank you, and stay safe, everyone!”
Later that morning, the district issued another statement to dispel misinformation. “All schools are operating normally, and there are no lockdowns in the district,” the notice read.
But that decision is now facing scrutiny as some parents and neighbors are questioning why classes weren’t canceled altogether.
“The rain was coming down hard. They had already called off certain bus routes in the area due to flooded roadways,” Caitlin Green, the mother of one of Gabriel’s classmates, said during an interview with WLKY.
Neighbors told the publication that students from the nine-year-old’s apartment complex had to cross a storm drain to reach their bus stop – a route that was overrun with rushing water on Friday morning.
The young boy’s tragic death is now part of a larger national tragedy, as severe weather across several states last week caused at least nine deaths and widespread destruction.
Franklin County Superintendent Mark Kopp issued a written statement offering condolences but did not address why the school remained open despite the dangerous conditions.
“We are deeply saddened that this horrific tragedy has claimed the life of one of our students. The entire Franklin County School System is praying for the family and friends of those directly affected by the events this morning,” the statement read. “At this time, we are working with support staff at our schools and offering services to our students, faculty, and staff.”
The young boy’s teacher shared in a social media post on Friday: “I was Gabe’s teacher this year and I loved him so much.”
“He was the sweetest boy who always put a smile on my face,” teacher Kasey Swails wrote. “He told me good morning EVERY morning as soon as he walked in my door. He has so many people who love him, especially every kiddo in our classroom.
“Today, an important part of that classroom family was taken from us. The sweetest, kindest boy who was impossible not to love. Who loved basketball and anything to do with a police car, who tried his best at any task given to him.”
An autopsy for Gabriel was scheduled for this weekend. While his official cause of death has not yet been released, Coroner Harrod said results are expected in 16 to 20 weeks. The investigation remains ongoing.
Our thoughts are with Gabriel’s loved ones at this devastating time.
