Local News
Bodies of Missing 8-Year-Old RaShad Jackson and 26-year-old Stephon Gardner Recovered from Midfield Rock Quarry
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The bodies of two family members who went missing while fishing at a rock quarry in Midfield on Saturday have been recovered, officials confirmed Sunday.
Midfield Mayor Gary Richardson identified the victims as 8-year-old Rashad Jackson and his 26-year-old cousin, Stephon Gardner, both residents of Midfield. The child’s body was recovered first, followed shortly by the discovery of Gardner’s remains.
Specialized dive teams from the Hoover Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office resumed search efforts around 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
Their operations had been paused the night before due to darkness, though sonar-equipped boats continued scanning the water throughout the night.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., sonar detected an object at a depth of 82 feet, prompting divers to concentrate their efforts in that area.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) also returned to assist at approximately 8:30 a.m. as recovery operations continued at the private quarry site, located along 1550 Hartman Industrial Boulevard near the Holcim Birmingham Slag Plant.
The emergency response began Saturday at 5:04 p.m. after a 911 call reported a person had fallen into the water near Bessemer Avenue and Myrtle Avenue.
The address was later updated to the Midfield industrial site, a location known for unauthorized recreational use despite being private property.
BFRS Battalion Chief Clay Hendon said first responders learned that Rashad had fallen into the quarry while fishing. Gardner, his adult cousin, jumped in after him in an attempt to rescue the boy. Tragically, neither of them resurfaced.
“There were witnesses at the scene, but all of them left before law enforcement arrived,” Hendon said. He added that some witnesses reportedly entered the water to try to help but were unsuccessful.
The area where the incident occurred features a steep drop of approximately 10 feet from the ledge to the water, with depths reaching up to 30 feet in some sections.
Hendon explained that while surface visibility in the quarry water is relatively clear, it becomes significantly darker and more difficult to navigate below the surface.
By 7:15 p.m. Sunday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office had deployed both dive teams and drones to assist in the ongoing efforts.
Authorities acknowledged early on that the operation had transitioned from a rescue to a recovery mission due to the amount of time the victims had been submerged.
Numerous family members and friends remained at the scene throughout the day, many visibly distraught as divers worked to bring closure to the tragic incident.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drownings remains ongoing.
EAST AURORA, N.Y. — Emergency crews responded to the Aurora Theatre at 673 Main Street in the Village of East Aurora on Sunday following a ceiling collapse inside the historic building while students and chaperones were present.
Officials said construction activity inside the two-story brick structure led to a portion of the ceiling giving way during a scheduled event.
At the time of the incident, approximately 68 students and adult chaperones were inside the theater.
First responders confirmed there was no entrapment and the collapse was limited in scope.
Emergency Medical Services evaluated six pediatric patients for minor injuries at the scene. No serious injuries were reported.
Fire and safety officials secured the area and conducted a structural assessment to ensure the remainder of the building was safe.
Authorities said the incident remains under review, including the circumstances surrounding the construction work that preceded the collapse.
Further information will be released as the investigation continues.