PEABODY — A light fixture in the Higgins Middle School cafeteria fell on a 14-year-old student, cutting his temple, during a Hawaiian-themed dance Wednesday night.
Police Capt. Dennis Bonaiuto said students at the luau were tossing large beach balls in the air when one hit the fixture, causing its cover to fall and hit the student.
The 14-year-old was taken by ambulance to North Shore Children's Hospital for the laceration to his head. Three more students were also taken to the hospital because of stress caused by the accident, Bonaiuto said.
Three police officers were monitoring the dance and provided first aid, the police captain said.
Seven additional students at the dance were evaluated by officers at Higgins and taken home by their parents. Bonaiuto said the students had grown anxious after seeing the accident.
Despite the interruption, the event went on.
"They cleaned up the mess and the dance continued," he said.
Messages left with Superintendent C. Milton Burnett, Higgins Principal Melissa Matarazzo and Business Manager Michael Musto were not returned as of press time.
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