A young boy was tragically killed in a freak accident at a haunted hayride attraction in Tennessee over the weekend, authorities say. The harrowing incident occurred when the victim and other juveniles allegedly attempted to prank hay riders by hiding behind bushes and jumping on the tractor's trailer.
A child's life was tragically cut short in a freak accident at a haunted hayride attraction over the weekend, casting a somber pall over the Halloween festivities. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) in Tennessee released a heartbreaking statement on the incident, which occurred at the Haunted Hilltop attraction in Harrison, Tennessee.
According to the HCSO, deputies were called to the scene at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Friday night. Upon arrival, authorities learned that a boy had been run over by a tractor while engaging in a prank with other juveniles. The juveniles were reportedly playing near a hay ride tractor route and had concealed themselves behind bushes in an attempt to scare hay riders.
Tragedy Strikes at Halloween Attraction: Child Killed in Freak Tractor Accident
The HCSO's press release outlined the sequence of events leading to the tragic accident. "Deputies were told that one of the juveniles had attempted to jump on the trailer and had possibly slipped and fallen underneath the wheels and was found unresponsive," the statement explained.
The Hamilton County Medical Examiner's office has confirmed that the deceased child was 12 years old. In a statement, the sheriff's office expressed its profound sympathy for the victim's family and the witnesses to the tragic event. "The HCSO family extends our thoughts and sympathy to the family of the deceased juvenile, as well as the others who witnessed the tragic event," the statement read. "We ask the community [to] also keep this family in their prayers during this difficult time."
Tragedy Strikes at Halloween Attraction: Child Killed in Freak Tractor Accident
The Haunted Hilltop attraction has temporarily closed its doors in the wake of the accident. The attraction's Facebook page announced the closure and requested prayers from the community. "Due to the Tragic accident that occurred tonight we will NOT be open tomorrow-Saturday," the page stated. "Our Hearts and Prayers go out to the family effected [sic] in this, Please keep us all in your prayers!"
On Monday evening, the Haunted Hilltop confirmed to Fox News Digital that it remains closed for the time being. "We are heart-broken and devastated for this family," the company said. "We have not even thought about [reopening] yet, this was a horrific accident."
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an outpouring of grief and support for the victim's family. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, and no further information regarding the victim or the circumstances surrounding the incident has been released.
The tragic accident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of safety precautions, especially during festive events where excitement can sometimes override caution. The Haunted Hilltop has suspended its operations while it works closely with authorities to determine the cause of the accident and implement additional safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
The community mourns the loss of a young life and extends its deepest condolences to the victim's family and loved ones. In the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, the focus must be on supporting those affected and ensuring that such accidents never occur again.
