Schoolboy, 9, dies after being swept away in floodwater while walking to bus stop

A nine-year-old boy has tragically died after being swept away in floodwater while walking to his school bus stop. Gabriel Andrews’ body was found half a mile from where he was caught in the rising water in Hickory Hills, , at around 6.30am this morning.

It comes as parts of the United States has been hit by what forecasters have called horrific conditions. Emergency services launched a major search including police, fire and ambulance workers, with his body recovered at 8.45am. He was pronounced dead by a coroner half an hour later.

Franklin County Schools Superintendent Mark Kopp called it a "horrific tragedy" and that prayers are being said for the boys family. "We are deeply saddened at this horrific tragedy that claimed the life of one of our students," he wrote on . "The entire Franklin County School System is praying for the family and friends of those directly affected by the events this morning.

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"We are more than a school system, we are a family at Franklin County Schools, and we share this loss together. At this time, we are working with support staff at our schools and offering services to our students, faculty, and staff who need assistance during this time. We are eternally grateful for our community first responders from both city and county agencies who selflessly responded to assist in this situation.”

And Mayor Layne Wilkerson also offered her condolences. "On behalf of the entire City of Frankfort, we want to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and everyone directly impacted by this tragedy this morning," she said.

"A tragedy such as this is felt by our entire community and we all grieve together. We want to thank all of our community first responders, Frankfort Police Department, Fire and EMS, Emergency Management, and our partners at Franklin County for their rapid response. We encourage our community to be diligent and stay safe during this weekend’s continuing severe weather event."

Many communities have been left reeling from tornadoes that destroyed entire neighbourhoods and killed at least seven people earlier this week. Forecasters warned of potentially "catastrophic" weather, with round after round of heavy rains expected in the central US through Saturday.

Satellite imagery showed thunderstorms lined up like freight trains over communities in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, according to the national Weather Prediction Centre in Maryland.

The central area of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, a city of 31,000 residents 72 miles northwest of Nashville, was submerged. A dozen people and more than 40 pets had been rescued from homes as of the afternoon, a fire official said.

“The main arteries through Hopkinsville are probably 2 feet under water,” said Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam. “So the mayor has closed downtown down for all traffic. Our office is actually in the middle of it, and we were here before the water rose. So there’s only one way we could get out.”

Tony Kirves and some friends used sandbags and a vacuum as they tried to hold back rising floodwaters that covered the basement and seeped into the ground floor of his photography business in Hopkinsville. Downtown was “like a lake,” he said. “We’re holding ground,” he continued. “We’re trying to maintain and keep it out the best we can.”