From Ben Rappaport, Chatham News + Record Staff
Christian Poteat Jr., Tony Keck and Cassandra Sibrian, all Northwood High School students, passed away in a string of horrific accidents this week, Chatham County Schools officials confirmed.
CCS has released the following statement about the incident:
“Northwood has experienced several difficult days with the deaths of three students in the past week,” the statement said. “Last Thursday, Christian Poteat, a 2022 graduate, died in an accidental drowning. On Tuesday, Cassandra Sibrian, a sophomore, was killed in a car accident and [Thursday] night, Tony Keck, a freshman, was hit by a car and died while riding his ATV.”
With these students passing, there have now been five deaths in the Northwood community in the course of just a few months.
“These three students, and the two we lost in the fall, have left a huge hole in the Northwood family,” said Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson. “We mourn the loss of bright futures, friendships and family that these students had. Please reach out for help if you need it during this sorrowful time.”
Northwood Principal Dr. Braford Walston echoed Jackson’s call for empathy and community support during this time.
“I am concerned about helping our Northwood family through this,” Walston said. “To lose so many of our family in a year is incredibly difficult. There are supports in place for anyone who needs them. Please reach out.”
Poteat Jr.’s funeral service was held in Roxboro Friday afternoon. According to the funeral home, Sibrian’s visitation is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory Griffin Chapel, 396 West St. in Pittsboro. No arrangements have been announced for Keck.
“All of these students attended Chatham County Schools throughout their school careers so we know that these students have touched the lives of many of you,” CCS officials said. “We are also a family that feels the grief at the loss of any of our children. Understanding the difficulty of the moment we wanted to reach out to each of you.”
The district said social workers will be on the campus of Northwood High School on Monday to help students and community members grieve and process the traumatic events.
CCS employees also have access to the Employee Assistance Program. EAP is a company-sponsored benefit that offers the support and resources needed to address personal or work-related challenges and concerns. It’s confidential and free to all employees and their household family members.
EAP is available 24/7/365 as a free and confidential service. To seek assistance, simply call 800-633-3353 or visit mygroup.com
“We appreciate your kindness, thoughts and prayers for our Northwood school and these students who may have touched your lives as they journeyed to high school,” CCS officials said. “While the moment is difficult, please take comfort in knowing that as a Chatham County Schools family we will continue to love and support all of our students and each other moving forward. Take care of yourselves. Be well.”
This is a developing story and updates will be provided as they become available.
Featured photo via Jackie Harpham.
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