by Hanford, California – An ordinary school pickup turned frightening at Washington Elementary School in Hanford, California, after a section of the outdoor amphitheater ceiling unexpectedly collapsed, injuring two students — including an 8-year-old boy who suffered a concussion and broken clavicle. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on November 10, sending parents and staff into shock as debris fell without warning.
According to reports from KABC, The Hanford Sentinel, and KSEE, the stucco ceiling structure suddenly gave way just as students were leaving campus. For young James Harrah, the collapse was immediate and overwhelming.
Child Describes the Moment the Roof Fell
James, who was waiting to be picked up by his father, recalled the moment the debris crashed down.
“All I remember is when I was going out from school, the roof fell on me,” he told during a interview with his parents.
His mother, Diana Harrah, explained that the collapse involved multiple heavy stucco pieces.
“It sounded like the one piece landed on top of his head, and that knocked him over. And then another piece landed on top of him after he fell,” she said.
James suffered a concussion, a broken clavicle, and a black eye, injuries his parents say could have been much worse.
First Responders Arrived Quickly
School staff acted immediately, rushing to assist the injured children before emergency crews arrived at the scene. According to Superintendent Joy Gabler, both students were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
“Both students were transported to the hospital for further evaluation and, thankfully, were released later that evening,” Gabler said in a statement.
James’s father, Shawn, arrived at the school during the aftermath and was able to comfort his son.
“I was able to get there, check on him, talk to him and let him know I was there,” he told.
He immediately contacted Diana, who raced to the school as soon as she received the call.
Mother Says Her “Heart Dropped” After Hearing the News
For Diana, the moment she learned what happened was devastating.
“My heart dropped. I was so scared,” she said, describing how she sped to the school to be with her son.
She believes that James’s backpack helped shield him from more serious injuries.
“We are incredibly thankful… part of the wall, the barrier that took part of the weight and his backpack,” she said. “His books were bent in half… I feel he had an armor on him.”
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District Closes Campus for Structural Inspection
Following the incident, the Hanford Elementary School District ordered a full structural evaluation. An architect and engineering team began inspecting the site the next day.
District officials later announced that the campus will be closed for in-person learning until December 1, shifting to remote instruction while experts determine what caused the collapse and ensure no further risk exists.
Superintendent Gabler emphasized the district’s commitment to safety.
“The District takes the safety of our students and staff very seriously,” she said. “We are grateful for the quick action of Washington staff and local emergency services. We look forward to welcoming our students back on campus at the start of December.”
Young Victim Remains Positive Despite Injuries
Despite his injuries and recovery time at home, James says he is eager to return to his classmates.
“I think they might be impressed because a roof fell on me,” the 8-year-old joked, attempting to stay upbeat despite what his family describes as a traumatic experience.
His parents, while grateful that he survived and has begun healing, stress that more should be done to prevent aging school structures from posing risks to students. They hope the district’s investigations will lead to safer infrastructure for all children.
The incident has prompted concerns from families across Hanford, with many calling for transparency about the structural review and any further hazards on campus.
As the investigation continues, the community is focusing on the recovery of the two students and awaiting answers about how such a collapse could occur on an active school campus.
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