A high school football star has died after being hit by a tree outside his grandparents’ house during severe storms.
Evan Kinley, a 15-year-old from Anderson, South Carolina, was getting out of his car when a tree uprooted itself and fell on him near the property’s garage.
The second year student from TL Hanna had stopped at home on Arnold Drive near Kings Road around 5pm on Monday.
His horrified grandparents were the first to find Evan after the tree toppled over. The couple did everything they could to get it out from under it, but it was too heavy for them to lift.
Evan Kinley is remembered as a star football player for his high school team
The 15-year-old sophomore stopped to see his grandparents during severe storms
A tree uprooted and fell on him as he got out of the car
Their darling grandson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The coroner ruled that the student’s death was accidental, resulting from extreme weather conditions.
Evan was a valued volunteer firefighter with the Broadway Fire Department
He is remembered as an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and cars.
Evan was also a volunteer junior firefighter with the Broadway Fire Department and star of the TL Hanna football program, playing offensive guard for the high school team.
Football team head coach Hanna Jason Tone said Evan had a positive attitude and it was good to be there.
“He always had a smile on his face. He showed up to work every day, was a great teammate, very energetic (and) fun to be around, and he had a lot of friends on the team.
Rescue teams were at the scene on Arnold Drive near Kings around 5 p.m. Monday
An area has been taped outside the grandparents house
Evan was known for his love of outdoor sports, fishing and cars
A message from the Broadway Fire Department said: ‘Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.
“The next few days are going to be tough for them. Evan was a great boy.
“He was a junior firefighter with us and we were really looking forward to having him in the future. He will certainly be missed. Rest in peace our young friend. Left too early.’
Volunteer firefighter Kim Strickland said the loss of Evan was a heavy burden for many.
“We didn’t lose a 15-year-old, we didn’t lose Evan, we lost a family member,” they said. WYFF.
Charles Howell, another Broadway Fire Department volunteer, added: ‘We are brothers and sisters and this fire department there will be a void because the smile when he walked in just changed the room.’
Broadway Fire Department Chief David Burnette said Kinley was a well-liked young man.
“It’s hard to say enough good things about him and I can never say enough to make him shine like he should, to be honest with you.
“You had to know him, but if you knew him, you loved him.
Anderson School District 5 Superintendent Brenda Kelley alerted parents to the tragedy in an email.
“Anderson Five family, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that tonight, Evan Kinley, a tenth grader at TL Hanna High School was tragically killed during the thunderstorms,” she wrote.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time, and additional support staff will serve TL Hanna tomorrow to help students and staff deal with this tragedy.
‘Words never seem to express comfort during a time like this, but please take a moment to remember why we are in the roles that we are, and please keep in mind Evan, his family and the students, TLH faculty and staff as you continue your day tomorrow.
“As the district learns more information about the arrangements, we will be sure to send that information accordingly.”
A service will be held for Evan on Saturday, August 12.
