Locals keep vigil for hospitalized Lakeview 8th grader
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CORTLAND -- A Lakeview student-athlete seriously injured when a discus struck him in the head at track practice is recovering at Akron Children's Hospital.
Following the accident Friday that sent eighth-grade student Franceso "Frankie" Placanica to the emergency room, Jim Luonuansuu, a friend of the Placanica family, said the boy's mother sent him an update Tuesday about his condition.
"He's off the ventilator and talking, but he still has a long road ahead of him," the message provided by Luonuansuu states. "We're praying and keeping our faith that he will eventually make a full recovery."
Lakeview Local School District Superintendent Velina Jo Taylor said the district is waiting to hear more from Frankie's mother about his condition.
"He is at Akron Children's Hospital at this particular point in time and showing signs of recovery," Taylor said. "Our hearts go out to the family. They're a wonderful family, with great kids. We just pray for a speedy recovery."
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
In a show of support for Frankie and his family, a community-organized prayer vigil took place Saturday on Lakeview High School's football field.
The vigil, attended by about 200 people, was led by the Rev. Christopher Cicero of Blessed Sacrament Church in Warren.
The Lakeview High School softball team organized a raffle to raise money for Frankie and his family. Also, other school districts, including Warren JFK, Newton Falls Exempted Village and Hubbard Local Schools recognized Frankie's recovery on social media.
In addition, the Newton Falls district lit its water tower blue to support Lakeview Local School District and to remind residents to pray for the boy.
Luonuansuu wrote in an email, "Newton Falls is #frankiestrong."
ACCIDENT
According to a Cortland police report, police and medical personnel were dispatched to the high school around 4:15 p.m. Friday. The caller said the youth was unconscious.
The caller told police CPR was being performed on him on the practice football field.
Minutes later on the dispatch call summary, it was listed that he was breathing and blinking, before medics arrived to transport him to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He was later taken to Akron Children's Hospital main campus in Akron.