LISTEN: Dayton Offers Condolences to Peter Hobart Students

Gov. Mark Dayton and other dignitaries visited Peter Hobart Elementary School on Friday to offer their condolences in the wake of the Lilydle Park tragedy.

Dayton described losing his best friend in a similar accident in which a rockslide killed the man while he was hiking in a California canyon.

“I remember the horror I felt. I remember the shock and the disbelief that we and his wife and his daughter—who was my goddaughter who was 11 years old. I said, ‘Why? Why did this happen?’” Dayton said. “I wish I could say something that would make you feel better. I wish I could say something that could explain why this terrible thing happened. I can’t. But I know looking and seeing all of you that something of Haysem’s and Mohamed’s spirit will be carried on with all of you.”