Student critical after Hanford West brawl

A Hanford West High School student was in critical condition this morning after a lunch-hour brawl between two students ended with one hitting his head on the asphalt and suffering severe head trauma on Tuesday. The victim was transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno and placed on life support yesterday. Little information about the fight was available from authorities as both participants are juveniles, but it is believed that the victim suffered his injuries when he was knocked to the ground.

Hanford Police officers were called to the high school campus at 12:45 p.m. after a report of "a subject down" was received.

The victim reportedly suffered from both severe head trauma and an abdominal laceration.

The fight is still under investigation at this time. Anyone with information about this event is asked to contact Investigator Darren Matteson or Officer Dean Hoover at 585-2540.

(Aug. 27, 2008)