Child Dies After Being 'Struck by a Tractor' at Halloween 'Haunted Hayride’ Event: 'Tragic Accident'
Authorities said the child had been trying to "scare riders" when they "slipped" and fell near the vehicle on Friday, Oct. 11
A child has died after being accidentally hit by a tractor at a Halloween event in Tennessee.
On Friday, Oct. 11 at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) responded to calls of a juvenile being "struck by a tractor" at the 8200 block of Highway 58, per a press release shared on the HCSO Facebook page.
Police said of the tragedy, which they state occurred at The Haunted Hilltop event: "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 riders."
"Deputies were told that 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 release added.
"Sadly, the juvenile succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene," the Sheriff's Office confirmed.
The child hasn't been identified and an investigation in conjunction with the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office is ongoing.
"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. We ask the community also keep this family in their prayers during this difficult time," the release stated.
"As this incident pertains to juveniles, no further information is available," it concluded.
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The Haunted Hilltop paid tribute to the child in a Facebook post, confirming that the venue would not be open on Saturday, Oct. 12 following the "tragic accident."
"Our Hearts and Prayers go out to the family [affected] in this, Please keep us all in your prayers!" the post added.
The Tenn. Department of Health office didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information from the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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