A tragic accident at a haunted hayride attraction in Harrison, Tennessee, claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy over the weekend. The incident occurred at Haunted Hilltop, a Halloween-themed event, when the child was involved in a freak accident.
According to a statement from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), deputies were dispatched to the scene around 10:45 p.m. on Friday. Upon arrival, officers learned that a group of young boys had been playing a prank on hayride participants by hiding behind bushes along the tractor route.
The HCSO reports that the boy tragically attempted to jump onto a moving trailer and, in a horrifying turn of events, slipped under the wheels of the tractor. The child was found unresponsive after the accident.
The Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed the boy’s age as 12. In a somber press release, the Sheriff’s Office extended its deepest condolences to the grieving family, asking the community to pray for them during this incredibly difficult time.
“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 keep this family in their prayers.”
Haunted Hilltop, the site of the accident, also released a statement via Facebook, announcing its temporary closure in light of the tragedy. “Due to the tragic accident that occurred tonight, we will NOT be open tomorrow,” the message read. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family affected. Please keep us all in your prayers.”
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Haunted Hilltop representatives expressed their heartbreak over the incident. “We are heartbroken and devastated for this family,” they said, adding that reopening the attraction is not currently being considered.