Bahamian Schoolgirl Dies in Panama
A student from St Augustine’s College in the Bahamas has died after falling from a high-rise hotel in Panama City during a school trip for the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge. The school confirmed the student’s death, saying it is working with Panamanian authorities and supporting the family and delegation.
A Bahamian schoolgirl has died after falling from a high-rise hotel in Panama City while on a school trip to participate in the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge, local and Panamanian media report. St Augustine’s College confirmed the death in a statement, saying it was made with "the deepest sorrow and heavy hearts" and did not identify the student.
The school said the delegation in Panama included a parent, a chaperone, the school principal and faculty members, and that it is in close communication with Panamanian authorities while providing support where needed. Panamanian media reported the incident occurred last Friday when the teenager fell from the 27th floor to the 12th-floor landing in the hotel’s social area, where the pool is located.
Reports said she was sharing a room with two classmates at the time. Authorities in Panama are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall; no official cause has been released. St Joseph’s Parish in the Bahamas described the student as a "cherished member of our parish family" who volunteered at the St Joseph’s Soup Kitchen every Saturday.
In a statement, the parish said her "kind heart, gentle spirit, and willingness to help others reflected the love of Christ in all she did" and extended condolences to the family and the St Augustine’s College community. The FIRST Global Robotics Challenge is an international STEM competition that brings high school teams from around the world together to design and build robotics projects.
The event draws students and delegations from many countries, and schools typically travel abroad with chaperones and parents to participate. For residents of the British Virgin Islands, the incident is a reminder of the risks that can accompany overseas student travel and the importance of clear oversight and support arrangements.
Schools and parents organising international trips generally work with host authorities and hotels to manage safety and emergency response, and investigators in Panama will determine what happened in this case. St Augustine’s College said it is offering counselling and support to students and staff as they cope with the loss.
Further details are expected as Panamanian authorities complete their inquiries and the family decides what information to make public. The school and community continue to mourn the student’s death and are keeping her family and friends in their prayers.
Primary source: VINO