Santa's visit cut short by illness
'Santa' was breathing and conscious when taken to the hospital.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- A Christmas celebration at an elementary school here was interrupted by untimely health concerns that sent America's jolliest elf to the hospital.
Children at Roosevelt Elementary School gathered for an annual Christmas function at the school when the man playing Santa Claus suddenly became ill.
According to police, officers and ambulatory services were called to the school just before 10 a.m. Wednesday. Emergency workers took 60-year-old John Rappach to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Rappach was conscious and breathing when taken to the hospital, police said. He was listed in stable condition Wednesday afternoon. There was no listed address for Rappach.
It is unclear what ailment had overcome Rappach during the Christmas celebration.
Jennifer Harper, a parent of a kindergartner at the school, said Santa walked to a chair in the gymnasium of the school and sat down before collapsing. She said school officials blocked him from view as pupils were escorted from the gymnasium.
"A lot of [the kids] seemed to do OK, but I have talked to other parents who had to go into the school because their kids were upset and crying," she said. "They did try to calm the kids down."
Spoke to children
Schools Superintendent Richard Buchenic said school officials made every effort to minimize any impact on pupils who may have witnessed the incident. He said a crisis team spoke to students at the school after "Santa" became ill.
"We thank the people of Hubbard for their cooperation. We sent our team of counselors into the school and everything is fine," he said. "Santa Claus is fine and will be there Christmas Eve."
Buchenic said pupils carried on with the remainder of the school day as planned, with Christmas programs in the afternoon.
Pupils were each sent home with letters explaining the situation to parents.