BRISTOL — A West Ridge High School student died on Saturday in a camper fire in the Akard community near Bristol.
Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. Andy Seabolt said 14-year-old Gracie McBryant was found dead in the camper at an Ayrshire Road home.
Dispatchers received the call at 5:48 a.m., and responders were told someone was in the camper when they arrived.
Seabolt said the fire appeared to be accidental and sheriff’s investigators and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are handling the case.
Sullivan County Director of Schools Evelyn Rafalowski said on Saturday that counselors will be available at West Ridge starting at 7 a.m. Monday for students and faculty.
The school’s Facebook page posted Saturday that McBryant was a member of the school band. Band members will be collecting money at the school to assist McBryant’s family and will start a GoFundMe account, according to the post.
The school Facebook page also asked students to wear blue highlighter and eyeshadow — McBryant’s favorite — in her memory.
“Keep them in our prayers,” school board Chairman Randall Jones said of McBryant’s family Saturday. “That’s all we can do.”
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