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Sixth-grade students suffer burns from TikTok-inspired "bear crawl" challenge on 140°F track at Woodville Middle School

May 19, 2025Woodville, United States1 source

Summary

Students at Woodville Middle School in Woodville, Texas, suffered burns to their hands during a TikTok-inspired "bear crawl" challenge on May 19. The sixth-grade pre-athletics class participated in the challenge, crawling on a track that measured over 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Several students required medical treatment, with some receiving care at Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston and others at Tyler County Hospital. Parents reported their children sustained first and second-degree burns, and at least one parent said medical staff cleaned the wounds and provided antibiotics and gauze. The Woodville ISD superintendent confirmed the coach involved was no longer employed by the district, and local police are investigating the incident.

Incident Details

Domain
Child Safety

Harms involving the exploitation, abuse, or endangerment of minors, including CSAM and grooming.

Mechanism
content
Severity
Minor involved
Platforms
Recipient
GroupStudents in a sixth grade pre-athletics class at Woodville Middle School who participated in the TikTok 'bear crawl' challenge
Dimensions
physical

Sources

1

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