A CHILD has died after falling off a float during a Memorial Day parade and being run over by the trailer, cops said.
Witnesses watched in horror as the 13-year-old boy, who was part of the parade, sank under the heavy trailer filled with other attendees.
The tragic accident unfolded during a procession in the city of Green, Ohio, roughly fifty miles from Cleveland, on Monday morning.
Matthew Schultz, a 13-year-old, was on a wooden platform decorated with patriotic elements and being towed by a Ford F-150 pickup truck when he accidentally slipped between the vehicle and the float.
Authorities said the youngster tumbled from the front of the trailer before being hit by its rear dual tires.
He was rushed to Akron Children’s Hospital but died from his injuries.
Local law enforcement have been left heartbroken by the death, and say they’ve never seen anything like it.
“It’s really a tragedy that this happened today,” Summit County Sheriff’s Sergeant Corin Usinski told ABC affiliate WEWS.
“I’ve been doing this for 25 years as a police officer and I’ve never heard of this happening ever before.”
The parade began at 10:00 am from Green High School and stretched nearly two miles.
Just after 11 am, the boy fell off, and the parade came to a sudden halt.
One horrified eyewitness has described the moment he saw the teen fall to his death.
“We didn’t really know what was going on,” the witness told the local outlet.
“And then word got to us through a friend of ours that there was an accident, and somebody apparently fell out of a float.”
Green Mayor Rocco Yeargin said he was devastated to hear about the tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to the family at this time of terrible loss,” he said.
“We look to support them as a Green community any way that we can.”
The North Canton City Schools Statement
The North Canton City Schools expressed deep sadness upon learning about the passing of one of their students. The loss of a young life is truly heartbreaking, and they extend their heartfelt sympathies and assistance to the bereaved family. In response to this tragic incident, the school district has activated its crisis management team to offer counseling and support services to both students and staff who are mourning the loss.
Out of respect for the family’s privacy and the ongoing investigation by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, no further details can be disclosed at this point in time.
The boy was a seventh grader from nearby North Canton. Officials at the school district are offering counseling services to anyone affected by the horrific death.
“We are deeply saddened to have been informed of the passing of one of our North Canton City Schools students,” the district said in a statement.
“There is no greater tragedy than the death of a young person, and we offer our sincere condolences and support to the family.”
Authorities have launched an investigation into how the accident happened.
No further details about the float’s safety setup or supervision have been released.
