Tragedy Strikes Nantucket High School: Class of 2024 Mourns Loss

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In the aftermath of a tragic car crash that claimed the life of a Nantucket High School student on Bartlett Road, school officials gathered to address the devastating news. This incident marks the second fatal accident involving a member of the class of 2024 in less than two years, leaving the school community shaken. Superintendent Beth Hallett expressed the deep sorrow felt by the NPS family and announced support services for students and staff. Despite the immense loss, classes will continue as scheduled to provide a sense of normalcy and support for those in need. The Nantucket Police Department is investigating the crash, which is believed to have been caused by excessive speed.

Tragic Car Crash Claims Life of Nantucket High School Student

Over the weekend, a devastating car crash on Bartlett Road late Saturday night resulted in the tragic loss of a 17-year-old senior from Nantucket High School. The news of this heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the close-knit island community, leaving school officials and residents reeling from the loss.

School Community Mourns Second Loss in Two Years

This recent tragedy marks the second time in less than two years that the class of 2024 has been struck by the untimely death of one of its members. According to superintendent Beth Hallett, the news of this fatal accident has deeply affected the school community, prompting school officials to gather and determine the best course of action in response to the devastating loss.

In a message to families on Sunday, Hallett expressed the profound sorrow felt by the Nantucket Public Schools (NPS) family. She acknowledged the pain and difficulty that lie ahead as they come to terms with yet another heartbreaking loss within their community.

Counselling Support for Students and Staff

In light of this tragedy, both the Nantucket Police Department and the Nantucket Public Schools have chosen not to disclose the identity of the student out of respect for his family and due to his age. The Surfside Road campus will have counselors and a mobile crisis unit available on Monday to provide support to students and staff as they navigate the grieving process.

Hallett and her team deliberated on whether to cancel classes at the high school on Monday, as they did following a previous student tragedy in December 2022. Ultimately, they decided to keep the school open based on the lessons learned from past experiences, emphasising the importance of maintaining familiar routines and seeking support from within the school community.

Details of the Tragic Incident

Nantucket Police and emergency responders were called to the intersection of Bartlett Road and Raceway Drive around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday following reports of a single-vehicle car accident. Upon arrival, they discovered a 2024 Dodge Promaster van had crashed into the berm at the end of Bartlett Road, with the 17-year-old driver found deceased at the scene.

The van sustained damage to its front and was resting upright on top of the berm. Authorities confirmed that the driver, a Nantucket resident, was the sole occupant of the vehicle and that speed appeared to be a contributing factor to the crash. The cause of the incident remains under investigation as the community comes to terms with the loss of a young life.

Support and Healing for the NPS Family

As the Nantucket High School community mourns the loss of their classmate, they are reminded of the importance of coming together to support one another during this difficult time. The availability of counselling services and the continued operation of the school provide a sense of normalcy amidst the grief, allowing students and staff to process their emotions in a safe and familiar environment.

While the pain of this tragedy may be profound, the strength and resilience of the NPS family will undoubtedly guide them through the healing process as they honour the memory of their beloved classmate.