This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
A 9-year-old student in 3rd grade died Friday after collapsing in a hallway at Hartranft Elementary School, District officials have confirmed.
District spokeswoman Megan Lello said the boy was with another student when he collapsed. The two were taking the remnants of the free school breakfast, which students at the North Philadelphia school eat in the classrooms, to the hallway trash can. Reports that he fell and hit his head are premature, Lello said.
A school staff member trained in CPR immediately administered aid, but he could not be revived, she said. The boy was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and pronounced dead.
“The School District of Philadelphia grieves the passing of one of our beloved students,” said the District in a statement. “We send our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the Hartranft School community in this time of sorrow.”
Emergency crisis response teams spent the day at the school to talk to students and staff. Additional behavioral health supports for anyone who might need them will be available at the school on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon, Lello said.
The boy’s name has not been released. Police are investigating the incident, but it is not a criminal case.