Fact Check: "Five people hospitalized for dehydration during Paterson graduation"
What We Know
On June 23, 2025, during a high school graduation ceremony at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, reports indicated that a significant number of attendees were affected by extreme heat. According to the Paterson Fire Chief, Alex Alicea, nine individuals were hospitalized due to heat-related issues, while approximately 50 others received treatment on-site but declined hospitalization (source-2).
Multiple news outlets reported that the extreme heat led to several attendees fainting and required emergency medical services to respond (source-3, source-5). However, the claim that five people were hospitalized specifically for dehydration is inconsistent with the broader reports indicating that nine were hospitalized for heat-related conditions without specifying dehydration as the sole cause (source-6).
Analysis
The claim that "five people were hospitalized for dehydration" appears to stem from a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of the events that occurred during the graduation ceremony. While it is true that nine individuals were hospitalized, the specific attribution of these hospitalizations solely to dehydration is not supported by the majority of reports. Instead, the hospitalizations were due to a combination of heat-related illnesses, which can include dehydration but are not limited to it (source-2, source-3).
Furthermore, the reliability of the sources reporting on this incident varies. Major news outlets like CBS News and the Daily News provide corroborated accounts from local officials, which enhances their credibility. However, the initial claim of five hospitalizations for dehydration seems to have originated from less reliable sources or misinterpretations of the data (source-5, source-8).
Conclusion
The claim that "five people were hospitalized for dehydration during Paterson graduation" is False. The accurate information indicates that nine individuals were hospitalized due to various heat-related conditions, and while dehydration may have been a contributing factor, it was not the sole reason for the hospitalizations. The misrepresentation of the number and cause of hospitalizations highlights the importance of accurate reporting in emergency situations.
Sources
- Prevention of dehydration in hospital patients - PubMed
- Paterson high school graduation sees 9 hospitalized for heat
- Heat wave sends 9 to hospital at Paterson, NJ, high school graduation
- Extreme heat causes people to faint at New Jersey graduation ... - MSN
- Extreme heat causes people to faint at New Jersey graduation ...
- Extreme heat causes people to faint at New Jersey graduation ceremony ...
