A tragic incident unfolded on Memorial Day in Green, Ohio, when a 13-year-old boy participating in a parade lost his life. The boy, whose name has not been disclosed, fell from a parade float and was subsequently run over by the float’s dual tires, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred around 11:23 a.m. during the town’s annual Memorial Day parade. The boy was riding on a festive trailer, which was part of the nearly two-mile-long procession that had started from Green High School earlier that morning.
The parade was abruptly halted following the incident. The boy, who had sustained severe injuries, was immediately rushed to Akron Children’s Hospital. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Sgt. Corin Usinski, who has served as a police officer for 25 years, expressed his shock at the incident. He noted that there were numerous people on and around the float at the time of the accident, and in his long career, he had never witnessed such a tragic event.
The float, a patriotic wooden platform, was being towed by a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck when the boy fell. The Mayor of Green, Rocco Yeargin, expressed his condolences to the boy’s family following the incident. He assured that the community would provide support to the family in their time of grief.
The North Canton City Schools District, where the boy was a student, also released a statement expressing their sorrow over the tragic loss. The district informed families that a crisis management team would be available to assist grieving students and staff.
The incident is currently under investigation. The community is left mourning the loss of a young life, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety during such events.