Elkhorn school district worker killed at northwest Omaha high school
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the 50-year-old maintenance supervisor may have died of asphyxia.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A 50-year-old school district employee was killed Wednesday morning in an incident at a work site near the Elkhorn North High School football field.
While the incident remains under investigation, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday evening that Kevin Garrison, a maintenance supervisor with the Elkhorn school district, may have died from asphyxia.
“An autopsy is scheduled for this week,” the DCSO release states.
Garrison was fatally injured while working at a job site north of the football field at the school, located near 180th Street and West Maple Road. The school district said Garrison, a longtime EPS employee, was working in a geothermal well to resolve an issue at Elkhorn North High School when the incident occurred.
“While in the well, the individual became unresponsive,” an EPS notice to staff and families states. “Medical personnel were immediately notified and responded.”
DCSO and the Omaha Fire Department responded to the scene at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday, finding the man dead at a job site north of the football field, where they were installing turf.
“Kevin has been a dedicated long-time employee of the Elkhorn Public Schools who was beginning his 20th year with the District. Our deepest condolences go to the Garrison family, including Kevin’s wife, Deb, current EPS principal, and his daughters Nikki and Rachel, current EPS teacher,” the district’s letter states.
The school district said that students at Elkhorn North were put in a “hold” protocol for about an hour after the incident, and that power was cut off to the school as a precaution.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Cruise told 6 News at the scene that there was no danger to the public. DCSO later confirmed “there was never any threat or danger to anyone at the Elkhorn North High School.”
EPS said classes at the high school were dismissed for the day at about 11:40 a.m.
Authorities are still investigating the incident. The school district reminded staff and families that counseling support was available as needed.
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