Crash knocks out power at West Hills school
An early morning car accident knocked out power to Walt Whitman High School Tuesday, prompting South Huntington School District officials to dismiss classes.
District spokesman Steve Bartholomew said classes were dismissed at 10 a.m. on the recommendation of the Long Island Power Authority, which said downed wires "posed a dangerous situation" to students.
The accident scene and downed pole are on Paumonek Drive in West Hills, about a quarter-mile from the school, Bartholomew told Newsday.
He said district officials considered canceling after-school activities and interscholastic events, but LIPA later said power would be restored by 2 p.m., so district officials decided not to cancel any events.
Whitman has one scheduled sporting activity on campus Tuesday, a girls volleyball match. There are seven teams scheduled for interscholastic events at other schools.
Suffolk County police said the single-car accident was at 7:18 a.m. A message posted on the district website read: "Emergency Dismissal for all students at 10 a.m. due to a car accident on Paumonek Drive. Walt Whitman HS will have limited or no power for the remainder of the day."
Police could not say if anyone was injured in the crash.
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