When a tree fell because of high-speed winds, a 12-year-old boy lost his life.
The tragedy occurred as the boy played with his friend at his New Jersey family home.
At a glance:
- A 12-year-old New Jersey boy, Lucas Schwartz, was tragically killed when a tree fell on him while he was playing in his backyard.
- The tree was blown over by gusty winds, and despite efforts to save him, Schwartz succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
- The Lawrence Township School District is providing grief counselors, therapy dogs, and additional support to the school community.
Lucas Schwartz, a 12-year-old boy from Lawrence Township, New Jersey, tragically died on Monday after a tree fell on him while he was playing in his backyard with a friend. The incident occurred just after 12 p.m. when gusty winds caused the tree to fall, pinning Schwartz beneath it. Lawrence Township police officers responded quickly and were able to free the boy and administer CPR before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Schwartz was a 7th grader at Lawrence Middle School. In a statement to parents, the Lawrence Township School District expressed their sorrow over the tragic loss and extended heartfelt condolences to Schwartz’s family. The district is providing grief counselors and additional emotional support, including therapy dogs and members of the Mercer County Traumatic Loss Coalition, to help students and staff cope with the loss.
The accident is being actively investigated by local authorities, who determined that gusty winds caused the tree to fall unexpectedly while Schwartz was playing in his backyard. The tragic event has shaken the community, with many expressing their grief and support for the family.
A GoFundMe page and meal train were set up to assist the Schwartz family during this difficult time. Letisha Marrow Jordan, a neighbor of the Schwartz family, shared her condolences on social media, stating, “To experience the anguish of a mother who tragically lost her child in the blink of an eye is something I’ll NEVER FORGET!!! Lucas was my next-door neighbor!”
This heartbreaking accident has deeply affected the local community, and efforts are underway to provide emotional and financial support to the grieving family.
Find out more about the fundraiser for the family here.
