The community of Craigsville is in quiet mourning following the heartbreaking loss of 14-year-old Colton Bureau, an Apollo-Ridge student whose life was tragically cut short when he drowned in the Kiski River on August 23.
Authorities confirmed that the river’s current proved overwhelming, claiming the life of a teenager whose kindness, curiosity, and generosity touched everyone around him. The tragedy has left a deep void not only in his family, but also throughout the Apollo-Ridge School District and the wider Armstrong County community.
At school, Colton was admired for his respect toward teachers and peers alike, always eager to learn and grow. Friends remember him as the one whose laughter could light up a room, whose energy carried through every gathering, and whose loyalty was never in question. To his family, he was more than a beloved son and brother—he was a dreamer, filled with a heart as wide as the future he imagined for himself.
Now, vigils, tributes, and fundraising efforts surround his grieving loved ones. Neighbors, classmates, and friends have come together to provide comfort, showing that in the face of unimaginable loss, community remains a powerful source of strength. Candles have been lit in his memory, prayers offered in his name, and words of remembrance shared by those who were blessed to know him.
The quiet stillness in Craigsville serves as both a reflection of grief and a testament to Colton’s impact. His absence is felt in classrooms, on neighborhood streets, and in the hearts of those who shared in his short but meaningful life.
As the community holds tightly to one another, the hope remains that Colton’s memory will not only live on, but inspire kindness, courage, and compassion in the lives of others. May his family find peace in knowing that he will always be remembered—not for the way he was taken, but for the light he gave while he was here.
With solemn respect, the people of Craigsville mourn together, honoring a young life gone too soon.
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