Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Practice injury leads to air-lift of CMS student

A Gurdon junior high school cheerleader has reportedly escaped serious injury after an incident that lead to her being air-lifted to Arkansas Childrens Hospital in Little Rock on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

According to information obtained on the scene, the unidentified cheerleader was apparently injured while attempting a stunt during after school practice. The Gurdon Police Department and an ambulance crew from Baptist Health Medical Center responded to the call at Cabe Middle School shortly after 4 p.m., and at approximately 4:45 p.m., the Gurdon Fire Department was called to Go-Devil Stadium to assist in guiding in the medical helicopter.

Numerous school officials were on the scene of the incident, including Cabe Middle School principal Libby White who declined a request for official comment on Thursday. Cheerleader coach Teri Dillard also declined to comment.

Superintendent Bobby Smithson said that although he had no direct knowledge of the incident, it was his understanding that the cheerleader was injured during a stunt, but she was reportedly released from the hospital on Wednesday after tests confirmed that there were no broken bones.

Smithson said that to his knowledge, the cheerleaders were supervised during the incident and that all school protocol was followed as to the notification of parents and emergency personnel.

Students in the Gurdon School District are covered by a secondary coverage insurance policy while at school, Smithson said. This policy will cover any medical expenses not covered by the childs primary insurance should an injury occur at school or at any school-sponsored function. All students in grades kindergarten through 12 are covered, he said.