LEHI, Utah, May 10, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Lehi High School was placed in a brief internal lockdown after a teacher was injured Friday morning in a welding class incident.
The teacher was hospitalized and police and fire units responded to the school, after which school officials announced crisis counseling was available to anyone in need.
“A teacher at Lehi High School was injured in a tragic, very unfortunate accident today during a class,” the Alpine School District said in a statement released Friday afternoon.
“He has been taken to a local hospital for further medical treatment. No students were injured.
“Lehi Police and Lehi Fire responded immediately to the accident. The area is secured and there are no additional risks to students or others who may be visiting the school.
“Parents of all Lehi High students have been notified regarding the accident and about support services and crisis counseling available to them.”
It was not immediately clear why a police response was needed and a “hold” status enacted to secure the school.
“Hold means that students remain in classrooms while adults get accountability,” Rich Stowell, the district’s communications director, said in an email. “During a hold, nobody would be wandering the halls, for example.”
The accident happened in the agriculture building, which is detached from the main classroom building on campus, Stowell said, the Ag building where some career and tech classes are taught.
“We extend our deepest concern to the teacher involved and their family during this difficult time,” reads the district’s statement. Â
“We are grateful that no students were injured in the accident and we appreciate the swift and professional response from Lehi Fire and Police. We continue to work with our first responder partners to ensure our school community is safe and informed.
“We are also grateful to our outstanding school administrators, who always lead their faculty, staff, students, and families with sensitivity and compassion.”