The recently constructed frame for the AHS indoor athletic complex (IAC) collapsed April 2, at 7:38 a.m. Three construction workers were injured, and one man was killed. No students or faculty members were harmed.

“I was walking in the building, and I heard something so horribly loud, and I looked up to see a metal structure collapse from all sides,” teacher Marla Warden said.

The sides of the structure began to waver, leading to the collapse of the entire frame. Although there was no reason declared as to why the structure collapsed, there is much speculation as to how. Superintendent Dr. Telena Wright said there will be a thorough investigation. Details will most likely be released in the days to follow.

“We will get answers,” Wright said. “It was a very sad, tragic happening, and I am very sorry for the loss of life on the construction site today, but I am grateful no students, parents, or staff were in danger.”

The Dallas Morning News reported that the Northstar Builders Group was in charge of the construction through a $45-million bond package used to also create new tennis courts and turf for the athletic fields. However, reconstruction is the last worry found throughout the community Wright said. The man, who’s name has not been released, was a single father with three daughters.

“People will always remember the loss of life that occurred today,” she said. “The tragic loss of his life is what concerns me right now.”

Some students saw the collapse happen during their regular morning routines.

“I actually saw the whole thing,” senior class officer Arya Monticino said. “I was not even 100 yards away driving in my car to a band rehearsal. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing; it was like something out of a movie. I had seen a lot of construction men around the area and was scared for all of them.”

Senior Will Hendryx was in the band hall when he heard the structure fall.

“I looked up to see construction pieces flying everywhere,”  said senior Will Hendryx.

During her drive to work, Wright was one of the first community members to be notified of the disaster.

“I had numerous calls coming in from the police and other community members,” Wright said. “My initial reaction was ‘are there any injuries’? I had to come to the sight and see the extent of the injuries.”

The students that did not see the collapse had other initial reactions due to the confusion of the loud noise. Some believed it to be the local train or thunder, while other were just confused.

“The scariest part was not knowing what was going on,” senior Ryane Yonce said.

In the hallways before school, students were crowding around windows and in the parking lot to watch as Argyle and Denton County public safety responders began to arrive around 7:45 a.m.

“It was scary for some of us who have younger siblings here,” senior Becca Cox said. “We didn’t know what was going on and thought maybe our siblings were in there.”

Many students received multiple text messages from parents or other concerned community members.

“They said a building collapsed and were texting me, asking if I was okay,” senior Kenna Roberts.

Monticino believes that although this is a tragedy, it will bring the community together to do something for the families of the injured and deceased.

“My thoughts and my heart goes out to all the families,” Monticino said.

Although there are no definite plans as to how the community will commemorate the life lost, Wright says there will definitely be something. English teacher Jeanna Sutton and school organization like Challenge Day Club and Student Council are asking the student body for donations. Also, AHS counselors are accepting letters that will be given to the affected families by Friday, April 3.

“We want to do some sort of memorial, maybe a tree or memory stone in his honor, something that will be there forever,” Sutton said.

A candlelight vigil was held, April 3, between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m after the home baseball game, and community member Lacey Wilson is leading the “Your Girls Are Now Ours” campaign to collect donations through the GoFund link below.

http://www.gofundme.com/qrwgxw

This story is in process and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Gallery • 7 Photos

©The Talon News | Annabel Thorpe

The newly formed frame of the indoor athletic complex fell at Argyle High School on April 2, 2015. (Photo by Annabel Thorpe/ The Talon News)