Schools, Towns On Alert After 7-Year-Old Killed by Collapsed School Table

School officials say they’re taking steps to secure folding tables after a 7-year-old New Milford boy died when he was struck by a collapsed bench.

Fort Lee interim Superintendent Paul Saxton said the incident inspired his district to inspect all its in-wall tables at four elementary schools to make sure they are working properly, according to northjersey.com.

Al Marchione, the supervisor of buildings and grounds for the Clifton School District, said he will request staff to inspect in-wall tables that are used in the city’s 21 schools, according to northjersey.com.

The New Milford community, meanwhile, is coming together through social media by asking residents to “Shine a Light for Brendan [James],” the 7-year-old boy who was tragically killed when a folding table collapsed on him during soccer practice Wednesday.

“Please join the BF Gibbs PTO as we shine our porch lights tomorrow night in remembrance of Brendan Jordan,” says the Facebook event, which is scheduled to run from Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. until Jan. 10 at 6 a.m.

More on this story: 7-Year-Old from Bergen County Dies After Table Collapses at School

The 108-pound bench fell on Brenden, who was a student at Gibbs Elementary School, while he was taking part in an indoor soccer practice in the gymnasium of Berkley Street Elementary School at about 6:30 p.m.

New Milford’s Superintendent told NorthJersey.com he did not know how the table fell - whether someone pulled on it or if it just collapsed on its own.

“It’s a tremendous loss for all of us, a shock for the family especially,” Polizzi told NorthJersey.com. “I can’t imagine the void the family will feel.”

Emergency services workers helped perform CPR, and Brenden was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., according to NJ.com.

As of 1:27 p.m., almost 2,000 people agreed to leave their light on for Brendan.

“Let’s light up the town and let Brendan’s family know that their community is thinking of them at this most difficult time,” states the Facebook post.

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