GARNER — February 23, 1996 - 4:42 p.m. EST

A disabled student is recovering from a serious fall at Garner High School this week.

Jamie Keaton, an 18-year-old developmentally delayed student was walking to his homeroom when he disappeared from sight. He had stepped into a manhole, falling seven feet to the bottom.

Keaton, who is under five feet tall, sustained an injury to his hip.

His father, Andy Keaton, said the family was shocked to learn what had happened.

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"Obviously, someone had taken a grate off the manhole and, as a joke or prank, put a mat back over it, covered it up so no one could see that it was missing."

All manhole grates have now been bolted down.

School leaders and Garner police are investigating the mishap, and police are offering a $500 reward to anyone with information leading to an arrest.

To report any information, call Garner police at (919) 772-8810