Midland student dies

Midland ISD officials expressed grief Tuesday in the Sunday death of a Midland High senior in a drilling site accident that also injured a Lee High student.

Francisco "David" Dinkha, 17, died Sunday in the Fort Stockton accident while a Lee High student sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the same incident, a Midland ISD news release said.

Pecos County Sheriff Cliff Harris said Tuesday that his office was called to the accident about 3:45 p.m. Sunday.

Sheriff's deputy Zeke Hernandez responded to the accident, he said.

According to Hernandez's report, Dinkha was one of three workers riding in the bucket of a front-end loader on Longfellow Ranch in Fort Stockton.

As the loader began to bounce along some rocky terrain, Dinkha and the two others were thrown from the bucket, according to the report.

Harris said the two others - a 16-year-old and a 27-year-old sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They were taken to Pecos County Memorial Hospital, treated and released.

Midland ISD officials reported Monday preliminary reports indicate the students were clearing land for drilling on a construction site when the two students were injured.

Dinkha would have been a senior this year. He participated on the Midland High football team.

Sylvester Perez, Midland Independent School District superintendent, released a statement Tuesday expressing the district's condolences.

"We're deeply sorrowed and saddened by the report that one of our students was fatally injured while working," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with this student's parents and family. This tragedy has deeply affected the entire district and many of our students."

Perez said MISD officials would be available to support and assist the families and other students affected by the accident. The counseling department is aware of the situation and is available for students coping with the tragedy, he said.

Memorial services are pending.