A 12-year-old New Jersey boy was crushed under a tree on Monday while he was playing outside, police said.
Lawrence Township Police officers received a report of the incident shortly after noon and headed to Eldridge Avenue, where they found the boy on the ground under a tree.
Officers were able to free the boy from under the fallen tree and began administering CPR while they waited for an ambulance to arrive.
The boy was taken to Capital Health Systems-Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
“Investigators determined that the juvenile was playing with a friend in his backyard when the tree was blown over by gusty winds,” Police Chief Christopher Longo said in a press release.
Lawrence Township School District Superintendent Robyn Klim sent out a letter Monday evening to inform families of the tragic accident, identifying the boy as Lucas Schwartz, a seventh grader at the Lawrence Middle School.
The letter encouraged parents to “be especially sensitive and prepared to offer support to your child during this time.”
Professional counselors will be available this week at the school to assist students and staff.
“In addition, therapy dogs and members of the Mercer County Traumatic Loss Coalition will be on school grounds to provide assistance,” the letter reads.
“We are heartbroken by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as needed,” Klim said. “We will keep parents and guardians updated on the needs of our district and appreciate your support as we respond to this tragic situation.”
A police investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In another incident, a child lost his or her life at the Haunted Hilltop Halloween venue in Tennessee on Oct. 11. The police did not disclose the victim’s name, age, or gender.
At around 10:45 p.m., the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call that “a “juvenile had been struck by a tractor,” according to an Oct. 12 press release.
“Upon arrival, HCSO deputies spoke with a chaperone for a group of juveniles that had been playing near a hay ride tractor route and were behind some bushes trying to scare some hay rider,” police said in a statement.
“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 youngster was pronounced dead on the scene.
“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,” police said. “We ask the community also keep this family in their prayers during this difficult time.”