Boy dies after goalpost lands on him

Franklin-McKinley School District Superintendent Larry Aceves said both students and teachers were traumatized from the popular student's death. The student is not being identified because officials are still trying to locate his parents to notify them of the tragedy.

"Everyone is just in shock," Aceves said. "Especially the adults who were present and tried to help any way they could."

Aceves, who was meeting with Fair Middle School Principal Beverly Hill on campus when the incident occurred, said the staff reacted very well by pulling students back into classrooms as paramedics arrived. He said Hill was not talking to the press because she was too distraught. The superintendent wasn't exactly sure what the group of about four to five boys was trying to do before the accident occurred, but seventh grader Jesus, said he and his friends often play with the heavy goalpost.

Jesus, 12, who was out sick from school, was waiting outside of campus for his friends to tell him who the victim was and what happened. He described the practice of moving the goalpost as "throwing it" to get it upright and said he thought the goalpost fell because the victim tried to throw it himself.

According to Jesus, a similar incident happened recently to another student. The goalpost fell back on him after he had pushed it in the air, but he was his backpack saved him from injury. Teachers quickly responded by calling 911 and lifting the post off the boy. He was transported to San Jose Medical Center where he died from major head injuries.

About 400 to 500 students were out at lunch recess at about 11:30 a.m. when the incident happened, said Aceves. Fair Middle School is home to about 850 students who are broken into two groups for separate lunch periods.

"Those who were there are obviously at a much different level (psychologically) than those who weren't," he said.

East Side Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas immediately responded by sending over additional counselors. Today, representatives from the Center for Living with Dying will be on campus.