May 25, 2000

The sounds of children at play were replaced by a somber silence today. Flowers were laid on the playground at an elementary school where a child was killed yesterday by a bolt of lightning.

Midvalley Elementary school is mourning the loss of a fifth grader. The little girl who was hit by lighting yesterday has now died from her injuries.

News Specialist Richard Piatt reports.

It happened suddenly, but it will have a lasting affect on everyone at this school. Today, this playground became a memorial to a girl everyone describes as happy-go-lucky.

The spot Rachel Green stood when the lightning hit is now a place to remember her. Flowers, stuffed animals, cards and candles keep piling up.

These young people are getting a very real lesson about death. It's a hard lesson.

Brandon Fulmer/6th Grader: SHE WAS A NICE GIRL, ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HER FACE. SHE NEVER DID ANYTHING WRONG.

Brandon Fullmer was one of the dozens of kids close to Rachel as the storm hit.

He and others at the school remember Rachel as always smiling, always happy. Some even say she was singing right before she was struck down.

Almost every student in the school was on the playground when it happened. The students claim a crack in the blacktop marks the spot. It happens to be the spot where the flowers are today.

To help the students cope with the shock and the grief, counselors came to the school to listen, and talk.

Dr. Susan Chilton/Crisis Counselor: I THINK THE RANDOMNESS, THE QUICKNESS OF THE STORM. I THINK THE FACT THAT THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY HAS ENHANCED THE SENSE OF DISTURBANCE TO THE STUDENTS.

Today, Midvalley school officials lowered their flag to half staff. As much as everyone wants things to return to normal here, they know school days will now end with one less student.

The other students who were injured from the lightning have all been treated and released from various hospitals. Funeral services for Rachel Green are tentatively set for this Saturday.