Student of the week: Kyle Primm

Appomattox County High School student Kyle Primm was quick on his feet in what some described as a heroic act on what should have been just another Friday in shop class.

On Feb. 27 in mechanics shop class, five students were working on a car when its gas line pulled loose and sprayed gas on the engine, which ignited. A student’s hands caught fire and while the teacher was tending to the situation, Kyle grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the car’s fire.

School officials said he saved the car and the building from fire damage. The Appomattox County School Board recently recognized him for his efforts.

“To him it was not a big thing, he did what he was supposed to do,” his father James Primm said.

Primm described his 17-year-old son as laid back, modest and a “down to earth kid.” In fact, Kyle was so nonchalant about the incident at school, his father didn’t even know until the principal, Michael Kelly, called to let him know.

“Of course being a parent, my jaw dropped and I said ‘what fire?’” Primm said.

Once he learned what happened he said he was proud of his son.

“Kelly said he was the hero that day,” Primm said.

Kyle, who said he has been surprised by all the recognition surrounding that day in class, said he just did what he was supposed to do.

“It’s alright. It’s nothing special,” he said of his actions. “If it was my car on fire I would want someone to do the same thing.”

He added the car now runs and his classmate’s hand has healed, which is, he said, the most important thing. When asked how he felt as other students rushed from the classroom and he reached for the fire extinguisher, Kyle said he was caught off guard.

“I was a little surprised, but good under pressure,” he said. “I wasn’t a nervous wreck. I was surprised it happened.”

Kyle, who is a junior at the high school, is a member of the Future Farmers of America and enjoys spending time outside.

“He’s low key. He does pretty good in school. I’m proud of his academics and everything,” his father said.

Kelly described Kyle similarly and said his quick thinking helped prevent serious damage to the school. Kelly said the entire incident could have been much more serious.

“When you’re talking about gas and fire and car, it certainly could have resulted in an explosion,” he said, later adding, “As the teacher was taking care of the students, the other students were moving out of the building and Kyle took matters in his own hands.”