Medford, Ore. — A roof collapse at North Medford High School’s gymnasium late Tuesday morning prompted immediate evacuations and school closures as officials begin to assess the damage. The incident, which occurred just before 11 a.m., comes after several days of structural concerns stemming from heavy snowfall earlier in the week.
Medford School District officials confirmed that a hairline fracture in one of the roof trusses was first discovered on Friday evening. By Saturday morning, further inspection revealed significant damage to one of the beams, raising concerns about the integrity of the structure. Despite efforts to monitor the building, the roof ultimately collapsed on Tuesday, sending debris into the gymnasium.
Fortunately, no students were inside the gym at the time of the collapse. However, a worker near the building’s entrance was caught in the force of the falling structure. The worker was pushed to the ground, landing on the asphalt and suffering minor injuries, including scraped knees. Out of caution, the worker was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Ron Havniear, the Executive Director of Security, Leadership Development, and Facilities for the Medford School District, expressed relief that the incident was not more severe. “We are grateful that no students were inside the gym at the time. Our primary concern is always the safety of our students and staff,” he said in a statement.
Following the collapse, the school district announced the closure of the high school for the remainder of the day and Wednesday. Officials are working with structural engineers to assess the damage and determine the necessary steps to repair the building.
The snowstorm that hit the region last week had already raised alarms about potential structural damage to several buildings in the area, with heavy snow accumulation placing additional strain on roofs. The district is urging residents to report any concerns about similar issues in other buildings, with inspections underway across the district.
As officials continue to investigate the cause and extent of the damage, school authorities are working to ensure the safety of the school community and minimize any disruptions to classes.
