According to the teen, one friend first climbed to the top and then, one by one, they each climbed the structure. Once everyone was on it, it tipped over.
FRISCO, Texas — What happened Thursday evening at Centennial High School in Frisco is serving as a reminder for students to stay safe during summer activities.
At 6:48 p.m., Frisco officers and firefighters were dispatched to a building collapse call at the school.
“Upon arrival it was discovered that four students were standing on top of the band directors tower next to the playing field when it collapsed,” read the city’s press release.
A teenager who was among four boys involved in a band tower collapse shared his account of the incident. With his mother’s permission, he spoke about what happened, but asked not to be identified.
“We were just practicing soccer and we just saw that and one of them just started climbing it,” he told WFAA.
The band tower, which was mounted on a trailer, eventually had all four teenagers climbing on it. According to the teen, one friend first climbed to the top and then, one by one, they each climbed the structure. He says it tipped over once everyone was on it.
“One of them broke their elbow, one of them went unconscious, and the other one got a concussion,” he told WFAA.
The teen said he escaped with only minor scratches and considers himself fortunate.
According to Frisco Fire, one injured teen was taken to a trauma center, while two others were taken to a children’s hospital. Officials said none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
Assistant Fire Chief Kelly Kistner said the outcome could have been much worse and had this message for students and parents this summer.
“Try to keep our kids safe and let them know what’s appropriate and not appropriate,” Kistner said. “It’s things like this that seem innocent and can turn into something very harmful.”
The teen said his parents had a serious conversation with him afterward. When asked whether he learned anything from the experience, he answered: “to not do dangerous stuff at all, unless it has a value to it.”