PINECREST, FLA. (WSVN) - A Palmetto Senior High School student was airlifted to the hospital after reportedly jumping from the school’s third floor.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, they received a call at around 8 a.m. about a possible fall at the school, at 7431 SW 120th St., Tuesday.
People who saw the incident said it looked intentional.
Video sent to 7News showed what appeared to be a female student standing on a ledge just outside of a staircase railing. As someone is seen in the video coming up the stairs towards the student, the student jumps.
“No it wasn’t an accident. She threw herself. She did it,” said Macarena Barrero, a student.
“The minute that the security guard that was going upstairs got there and she saw her, she just let go and stepped off,” said Emily Foncesa, a student.
The school was placed on lockdown for a short time, which was announced in a tweet by Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Edwin Lopez.
“It was horrible,” Barrero said. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.” We don’t know what happened to her. We don’t know if she’s OK. We don’t know anything. We don’t know why did she do it or if she was on something. We don’t know anything. We just saw what happened, and that’s it.”
“No one knows why she did this,” Foncesa said. We are all very confused and shocked.”
According to school officials, the lockdown was lifted around 11:30 a.m.
It is unknown why the student jumped, but Dr. Daniel Bober, D.O., Chief of Psychiatry at Memorial Regional Hospital offered these warning signs for parents to consider if they think their teen may be troubled.
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in hygiene
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Loss of pleasure in things that usually bring joy
If a parent is concerned about any of these, he says it’s time to open your ears.
“It’s just very important to listen and to be non-judgmental and to make sure that you’re not shaming your kids,” Bober said, “but to really try to get to the bottom of what’s going on. It’s important just to keep an open mind and to really be there.”
Parents at after-school pick up said it is time for a serious talk with their teens.
“That’s the thing, I have to have a conversation with my daughter about it,” said Jason Moore.
“Absolutely,” said Anita Ram. “It’s sad that I have to, but this is kind of the world that we are living in.”
“Talk to them on a daily basis and make sure they know that they are loved,” added Moore.
The condition of the student is currently unknown, but those who saw her after the fall said she suffered head injuries.
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