Two Platte County schools evacuated after contractor struck gas lines
Students at two schools in Platte City were evacuated after a work crew struck a pair of natural gas lines near the schools Friday morning, a spokeswoman for the schools said.
Students at Siergrist Elementary School and Platte County High School were moved after Platte City officials reported the issue, Platte County School District spokeswoman Laura Hulett said.
A contractor using a boring machine to install fiber lines hit two gas lines, one on Thomas Drive, the other on Bent Oak Court, she said. Students at both schools were moved as a precaution, she said.
Siergrist students and staff were moved to Platte City Middle School, and high school students and staff were moved to the Platte City YMCA.
High school students were eventually dismissed for the day because of the logistical hurdle of providing lunch for the nearly 1,400 students off-site, and Siergrist students and staff were allowed back into their building after first responders confirmed the building was safe, Hulett said.
“We are incredibly grateful for our community’s patience, cooperation, and trust throughout these events,” Hulett said. “Every decision today was made with the safety of students and staff as our top priority.”
