The first day of school is always a chaotic day. No matter how much you plan and get everything laid out, something always seems to happen. Maybe as small as forgetting to pack the lunch right or as dramatic as a child or parent having separation anxiety. Oh and the first few days of pick up or drop off is crazy. Well unfortunately for a local crossing guard, people dropping kids off and school administrators today at Hillcrest Elementary was a little more chaotic.
At approximately 8 am this morning one of the crossing guards at the school (typically they have multiple crossing guards, but today they had more thankfully) suffered a medical emergency. The crossing guard appeared, to witnesses, to pass out. According to Troy Schulze, Deputy Chief of Lake Wales Police Department, a resource officer had just been talking with the crossing guard and just left him when he ended up passing out. Emergency crews went to the scene and medical assistance was rendered. Thankfully parent’s and administers helped things move along as much as possible. Some readers advised it took an extra half hour to drop off their children, but we’re more concerned for the health and wellbeing of the crossing guard.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the crossing guard fainted, but “he will be okay”.
According to readers the crossing guard was transported by ambulance to Lake Wales Hospital Advent Health.
Here is a little more information about the “School Crossing Unit”: Two full-time civilian supervisors and eight part-time coordinators, assigned by geographical territories throughout the county, supervise the School Crossing Unit. They oversee approximately 160 part-time school crossing guards and 30 substitute school crossing guards. The members assigned to this unit are responsible for the safety of elementary school-aged children who have to cross major roadways on their way to or from school at the 131 crossing locations.
