NJ town mourning after boy jumps to his death from school window

DUMONT (WABC) -- Grief counselors are on hand to help students after a 10-year old boy jumped to his death from a window at a school in New Jersey.

The fifth-grader reportedly leaped from the open second floor window at Grant Elementary School in Dumont during lunchtime Friday.

He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center where he died.

The boy handed a note to a classmate he had been playing chess with before he jumped.

he did not say a word to the 20 other students and a lunch aide who were in the classroom at the time.

The boy's name has not been released and authorities have not revealed the contents of the note.

A makeshift memorial of teddy bears, candles and balloons appeared in front of the school on Saturday. Many Dumont residents are leaving their porch lights as part of a vigil.

"When I looked, there was a lady in the window, like you know, talking to the people down below frantically," said Elmer Pascia, an eyewitness.

Underneath the window and out on the concrete, emergency crews, teachers, and onlookers all frantically tried to help the boy.

"I saw him moving, wearing trousers, I saw him moving his legs, and his hands, and they were attending to him," Pascia said.

It apparently happened after a game of chess that ended with an argument. The boy then reportedly wrote the note and jumped.

"There were a number of students who were in the classroom and we've provided them with some assistance and we will continue to provide them with assistance through the weekend and on Monday," said Emanuel Triggiano, Dumont Schools superintendent.

Grant Street was closed down for the three-hour investigation to cars, pedestrians, and parents.

"It's very concerning, but stuff happens, it happens, we don't know what really happened. We have to find that out," said Jay Poche, a parent.

Other parents waited patiently outside with serious concerns about security and supervision.

"What was the teacher doing? You know, what was she doing? How come she didn't see the kid go near the window?" said Joe Zapata, a parent.

"Why are there not safety guard windows for the second floor to prevent something like this? How did the window open, how wide?" said Ana Nunez, an aunt.

"It's sad, we don't know anything," said Anna Nicolaides, a parent.

(Some information from the Associated Press.)