Boy Killed After Folding Bench Attached To Wall Collapses At New Jersey School

NEW MILFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A fold-down bench attached to a wall came crashing down, killing a 7-year-old New Milford boy in a freak accident during indoor soccer practice at a New Jersey school.

Brendan Jordan was playing with a soccer ball at Berkley Street Elementary School Wednesday night near a fold-down lunch table and benches recessed into the gym wall.

One of the benches then fell open, police said.

The boy was struck on the side of the head by the 108-pound wood and steel bench when it fell out of the wall, Det. Lt. Frank Ramaci said.

"He was struck by a fold down lunch table bench which fell from a recessed area in the wall of the gymnasium," Lt. Ramaci said.

Jordan was pinned underneath after being struck, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported.

Off-duty New Milford police officer Bryan Mone, who was coaching the team, immediately rendered aid and performed CPR until emergency responders arrived, Ramaci said.

Jordan, a student at Gibbs Elementary School on the north end of town, was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center where he died at 7:30 p.m.

"It's a tremendous loss for all of us, a shock for the family especially,'' School Superintendent Michael Polizzi said. "I can't imagine the void the family will feel."

Polizzi told The Record newspaper that the table is secured with a key. He said the tables have been in "good working condition,'' and the school has never had a problem with them since they were installed about 11 years ago.

It was not clear what caused the structure to drop down; Polizzi said he didn't know if it had been properly locked.

"It's not conclusive yet why the bench fell down," Lt. Ramaci said.

Ramaci said it's not yet known whether Brenden touched the table.

"We know he was standing by the bench that was affixed to the wall, but we don't know whether he was touching it before it came down," Ramaci said. "The investigation is still pending as far as that is concerned."

School tables have led to students being injured or killed before.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned since the mid-1990s of the potential safety risks of mobile folding tables used in schools across the country, according to spokeswoman Patty Davis. Those tables are different than the ones used in the New Jersey school.

The commission has received reports of several deaths and injuries in schools when the mobile tables tipped over. It warned that most accidents happened during afterschool or nonschool activities and warned schools to not allow children to move the tables or play with them.

Davis said the commission is investigating the New Jersey accident.

John Bigger, the recreation director for New Milford, told The Record that the boy was a member of the borough's indoor soccer team and was with a group of six 7- and 8-year-old children practicing for their Sunday season opener. He said practices in the gym were suspended for a few days while it is inspected and he doesn't know if the team will play Sunday.

Grief counselors were made available at both schools.

Mone will also be receiving counseling, Castro reported.

"The family is just devastated and just processing the grief and dealing with all of this," Pastor Phil Chorlian said, of North Jersey Vineyard Church.

"Our hearts go out to Brenden's family who are dealing with this tragedy as we must address the concerns of our community," Ramaci said. "I am also concerned for my officers who responded to this traumatic event."

On Thursday night, relatives and friends visited the Jordan family, and spoke briefly with the child's father.

"He seemed so sad -- no other word for him. He couldn't even talk much in that moment," Ninva Bekdas told CBS2's Weijia Jiang.

Brendan was described a bright and sweet second grader. He was the oldest of three kids including a baby brother.

"There will certainly be a groundswell of support for the family," New Milford Mayor Ann Subrizi said.

After-school recreational activities at Berkeley Street School are cancelled through Saturday, Castro reported.

The New Jersey Department of Education asks that schools complete an annual facilities inspection for safety.

Police at this point do not anticipate any criminal charges.

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