Memorial Growing For 2 Students Lost In Lilydale Landslide
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (WCCO/AP) -- Counselors were on hand at Peter Hobart Elementary School on Thursday for returning students, parents, and staff.
And there's a growing memorial that's been set up outside the school as the community honors the two children who died in the Lilydale Park land slide -- Mohamed Fofana, Haysem Sani -- and also the two students injured in the accident.
All were fourth graders.
In addition, Gov. Mark Dayton is scheduled to attend a ceremony Friday at Peter Hobart Elementary School -- it starts at 9:45 a.m., but the district didn't immediately release other details.
Many Peter Hobart students were having a hard time moving on from Wednesday's accident.
For fourth grader Dare Kroeten, the school day ended early, and her thoughts were not on reading or writing, rather the field trip she took to Lilydale Park.
"It was really, really scary because all my friends were screaming," she said.
Kroeten was there when the pathway gave way underneath her classmates' feet.
"There was a lot of kids down there, and they saw everybody get covered in mud," Kroeten said.
That's when Kroeten and other fourth graders jumped into action, pulling their friends to safety. Among them, according to classmates, was Lucas Lee, who was taken to the hospital with a broken ankle.
But Kroeten isn't just thinking about the rescue, but those she lost.
"Mohamed always played soccer at recess with us and was always really happy, " Kroeten said.
Classes were held as scheduled, though many students stayed home.
There is a fundraising effort already underway to help the four families affected by yesterday's incident.
Landslide Victims' Fund
Citizens Independent Bank has set up a fund to benefit those affected by Wednesday's landslide in Lilydale. Donations to "Peter Hobart Childrens Fund" will be accepted at the following locations:
St Louis Park
5000 West 36th St.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Robbinsdale
3700 West Broadway
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Hopkins
10901 Excelsior Blvd.
Hopkins, MN 55343
Plymouth
15650 36th Ave. North
Plymouth, MN 55446
