Student falls on B-painting trip

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

The Basic High School homecoming tradition of painting a giant white "B" on a Henderson hillside went awry Tuesday when a senior slipped on a rock and was airlifted to the hospital.

Kimber White, 18, was treated at University Medical Center and released, said Basic Principal Susan Segal.

The students were climbing near the River Mountains, east of the Basic campus, for the painting field trip.

Segal said the annual event will continue.

"We're sorry the incident occured, but accidents do happen," Segal said. "We'll be reviewing the circumstances, but at this time we have no plans to change our tradition."

Students must have permission slips from home in order to participate in the annual event, which has been going on for decades, Segal said.

"I bet some of those kids out there have parents who painted the 'B' themselves way back when," Segal said.

About 25 students and four teachers were climbing the slope at about 12:30 p.m. when White tripped, Segal said. Because the young woman had landed on her back, the chaperones decided to take every precaution and call for help, Segal said.

"They made the right call, absolutely," Segal said.

Henderson Fire responded to the 911 call with four-wheel drive vehicles, said Doug Koopman, deputy chief of operations. Mercy Air was called in because of the possibility that the student had suffered internal injuries, Koopman said.