Sand, 3rd grader at Western Row, mourns his students

MASON, Ohio (WKRC) – Mason mourns the death of a 10-year-old girl who died of a flu-related complication. The Mason School District is facing tragic loss.

Teachers and counselors had to start Thursday by informing their students that Sand Gibson had disappeared. Grade 4 students and staff try to manage their grief by honoring a beautiful and young life.

Handwritten pink cards with hearts show the love that comes from the hearts and minds of the fourth grade students of Western Row Elementary. They will be delivered to a family struggling with the painful loss of a child. We read: "Sand Gibson was a very special girl."

"She was really nice to everyone. She had close friends hit hard, so our entire community is saddened by the loss of this sweet and kind girl, "said Tracey Carson, public information officer at Mason.

Carson said Sable was the youngest of six children in the Gibson family, adding that the family was very active in the school community and strong in their Christian faith.

Inside the school, additional counselors were present on Thursday.

Carson said, "This morning we had rooms. We had 60 students who had gone down because Sable was very important to his friends. "

Holly Gibson, Sable's mother, shared an article on Prayers for Sable Gibson's Facebook page. She wrote:

"Our pretty little girl was diagnosed with a throat and flu Tuesday morning that caused a heart attack this afternoon and was flown to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital but it was too late. is completely broken. "

It is too early to know if Sable had any underlying health problems that contributed to his death. But HealthSource of Ohio's Dr. Holly Binnig says it's not too late to get vaccinated.

"Even when the flu peaks in January, the flu season can last until May. Being vaccinated against the flu at any time helps the body gain additional immunity, "said Dr. Binnig.

Services will be at Rivers Crossing Church Saturday. The visit is from noon to 4 pm Saturday with funeral at 5 pm C & # 39; is open to the public. The burial is private.