A 13-year-old boy died after falling from a Memorial Day parade float in Ohio, authorities said.
The incident occurred late Monday morning during a Memorial Day parade in Green, located south of Akron in Summit County.
The teenager — Matthew Schultz of North Canton — was riding in the parade on a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck, authorities said.
The incident remains under investigation, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said, referring to the death as a “tragic accident.”
The Green school district has offered counseling support to the North Canton school district, the mayor said.
According to authorities, a 13-year-old boy in Ohio died after falling from a Memorial Day parade float.
In Green, which is in Summit County and south of Akron, the incident happened late Monday morning during a Memorial Day parade.
According to authorities, the teenager, Matthew Schultz of North Canton, was participating in the parade while a pickup truck pulled a trailer. According to authorities, he suffered serious injuries after falling off the front of the trailer and getting struck by the tires.
Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree said the trailer was moving at less than 5 mph while carrying multiple kids.
Immediately responding were firefighters who had already been on the scene for the parade. According to the Green Fire Department, the teen was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition and later declared dead.
The death was described as a “tragic accident” by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, which stated that the incident is still being investigated. “.
Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS said the parade ended right away.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” Green Mayor Rocco Yeargin said to reporters on Monday. As a Green community, we try to help them in any way we can. “,”.
The mayor stated that the North Canton school district has been offered counseling support by the Green school district.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the North Canton City Schools District said, “The loss of a young life is deeply devastating, and our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew’s family, friends, classmates, and teachers during this unimaginable time.”. “He was a good-hearted and considerate student. We send our sincere sympathies to his family and all those impacted by this tragedy. “.
The family is going through “unimaginable heartbreak,” according to family friend Danielle Paciorek. “.
“Matthew’s absence leaves a hole that cannot be filled,” Paciorek said at a press briefing on Tuesday on behalf of the Schultz family.
It is the joy he brought to this world, not how he passed away, that the family wants people to remember, she said. “,”.
This report was contributed to by Alexandra Faul of ABC News.
