Hellayna Michelle King died in a Sept. 2 farm accident as her family raised concerns about delayed emergency access on Red River Road.
WINCHESTER, Ky. — A 4-year-old Clark County girl died after falling from the back of a tractor and being struck when the tractor backed up, according to the county coroner, leaving her family mourning a child they remembered for her energy, love of farm life and cheerful personality.
Clark County Coroner Neal Oliver identified the girl as Hellayna Michelle King. The accident happened Sept. 2 on Red River Road in Clark County. Oliver told local news outlets that Hellayna had been riding on the back of a tractor when she fell off and was accidentally struck as the tractor backed up. Authorities have not publicly announced additional findings about the circumstances of the accident.
Hellayna, known to loved ones as Layna, was born Oct. 5, 2021, and would have turned 5 in October. Her obituary described her as a lively child who enjoyed being outside, spending time on the farm and helping her grandparents. She especially loved the farm’s cows and enjoyed singing, according to the obituary. Her funeral was held Sept. 5.
Her aunt, LaDonna Lovings, told WKYT that the family considered Hellayna its “sunshine.” Lovings said relatives had expected to be preparing for the girl’s fifth birthday rather than mourning her death. She described the loss as something the family could not have anticipated and said relatives wished they could turn back time.
The tragedy has also renewed concern about access to the rural area where the accident happened. Lovings said family members waited about 45 minutes for help after the accident and pointed to a closed bridge on Red River Road as a major obstacle for emergency responders. She said she could not know whether a faster response would have changed the outcome but believed earlier access would have brought help to the family sooner.
The bridge problem predates Hellayna’s death. In August 2024, a state inspection led to the closure of a bridge carrying Red River Road over railroad tracks near Irvine Road because of its deteriorating condition. Clark County Judge-Executive Les Yates declared a state of emergency that September as roughly 35 homes west of the closure faced longer routes to Winchester and nearby emergency services. At the time, county officials said the detour could add about 25 to 30 minutes to some trips.
Residents had warned that the closure could create serious problems during emergencies. The bridge provided a direct connection toward Winchester and a nearby fire station, while alternate routes use narrow rural roads. Local officials said in 2024 that flooding at a creek along the alternate route could create additional access problems for people living beyond the bridge.
A bridge rehabilitation or replacement project for Red River Road has appeared in Kentucky transportation planning documents. The state’s highway construction plan identified the crossing over the CSX railroad as a bridge project, but the closure remained an issue for residents when Hellayna died. Her family has urged officials to complete a solution before another emergency is affected by the longer route.
The family has focused publicly on remembering Hellayna while grieving the sudden loss. Her obituary said she brought joy to those around her through her time outdoors, her willingness to help on the farm and her singing. Relatives also established an online fundraiser to help with an urn and everyday family needs following her death.
As of Saturday, officials had not announced additional investigative findings about the tractor accident. The family’s concerns about emergency access along Red River Road remained part of the aftermath as the community mourned Hellayna and the bridge project remained unresolved.
Author note: Last updated September 12, 2026.