A haunted hayride is concluding its season early in honor of the family of a 13-year-old who tragically passed away there over the weekend.
A teenager was involved in a tragic incident at the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta on Saturday night, where he was struck by a trolley wagon being towed by a tractor, as reported by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
A teenager has been named as Alexander ‘Xander’ Mick from Rice.
According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, staff and bystanders, which included an off-duty police officer and an off-duty medic, quickly began providing assistance. Mick’s life could not be saved, and he was declared dead at the scene.
The remembrance of Mick highlights his helpful nature, scientific mind, tech-savvy skills, boundless energy, wonderful sense of humor, and a smile that could light up a room. As an eighth grader at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, he actively participated in band, choir, robotics, and soccer. He participated in Taekwondo, was involved in Boy Scouts, and was a member of Discovery Church.
“Xander was an amazingly unique child who loved Jesus with all his heart and is happily in the arms of Jesus right now,” said his mother, Teri Dahlberg Mick. “He was full of life.”
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The Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride announced on its website that following the incident, the sheriff’s office first advised staff to continue the event to divert attention from the area, before ultimately directing guests to leave and shutting down for the evening.
Organizers say they are “deeply shaken by this event and are asking for thoughts, prayers and support for the family and friends of the individual involved and all those affected by this tragedy.”
A fundraising campaign has been initiated to assist Mick’s family. As of Tuesday, it has raised over $16,000 of its $30,000 target.
A memorial service for Mick is scheduled for Monday, October 21, in Sauk Rapids.
Reference: Haunted Hayride closes for season after accident that left 13-year-old dead