By George M.O. Williams
A Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) pupil from the Collegiate Secondary School, Sinneh Bangura, 12, died on Tuesday after a cement brick, which was placed on the second floor of the Science Laboratory building, fell and struck him on his head while he was heading to his class after he bought lunch, according to an eyewitness account.
The scene was spattered with blood which was pouring from the head of the deceased.
Bangura was rushed to Life Care Hospital in Lumley where he underwent emergency surgery in an attempt to save his life. Sadly, he was later pronounced dead in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following the operation. The school authority spent about NLe51,000 for the surgery.
The victim is the only son of his mother and father. He was known to be the confidant of his mother in the Repump Community in Freetown where they reside.
The Science Laboratory building was under renovation with no indication that it was a hazardous area.
The fatal accident has raised apprehension regarding the safety of children in schools.
The family and the school community were left devastated by the sudden loss of Bangura.
It was a day of mourning yesterday at the school. The principal was in tears and could not get her words out when she attempted to speak to Premier News yesterday.