Parents have been urged to be extra careful after two young children were hit by farm vehicles during haunted hayrides in different states.
Samuel ‘Sam’ Jessen, 12, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, was hit by a tractor along the route of the Haunted Hilltop Halloween hayride in Chattanooga last weekend around 11 p.m. after hiding among the bushes with his friends, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office saying.
While trying to scare other hay drivers, Jessen tried to jump onto the trailer, slipped and fell under the wheels. According to police, he was found unconscious.
The same weekend, Alexander ‘Xander’ Mick, 12, of Rice, Minnesota, also died at the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta when he was hit by a wagon, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office saying.
Efforts to save his life were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Samuel ‘Sam’ Jessen, 12, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, (pictured) was hit by a tractor along the route of the Haunted Hilltop Halloween hayride in Chattanooga last weekend around 11 p.m. after hiding in the bushes with his friends.
The same weekend, 12-year-old Alexander ‘Xander’ Mick of Rice, Minnesota, (pictured) was also killed at the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta after being hit by a wagon.
The Haunted Hilltop called Jessen’s death “horrible” and “tragic” and closed for a week.
“Please keep the Jessen family in your prayers during this very difficult time, as well as our staff,” the company wrote in Facebook.
The Harvest of Horror also released a statement regarding Mick’s death, saying the loss filled them with “deep sadness.”
“Out of respect for the family involved, organizers have made the decision to cancel the remaining nights of Harvest of Horror 2024,” he said in a statement. statement.
The company also said it had originally maintained operations after the death in accordance with the Sheriff’s Office instructions so it could “keep attendees away from the accident scene.”
‘Some time later, a sheriff’s deputy ordered us to begin turning away guests and close the event for the night. “We complied with all his instructions throughout the night,” he wrote.
While trying to scare other hay drivers, Jessen tried to jump onto the trailer, slipped and fell under the wheels. According to police, he was found unconscious (pictured: Chattanooga, TN)
Efforts were made to save Mick’s life, but they were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene (pictured: St. Augusta, MN)
Fundraising activities have begun on GoFundMe for the Jesse and mick families to help pay for children’s funerals.
As of Saturday morning, Jessen’s had raised more than $37,000 toward its $30,000 goal and Mick’s had raised more than $39,000 toward its $30,000 goal.
On her GoFundMe, Mick’s mother, Teri Mick, remembers her “incredibly unique son” as someone who “loved Jesus with all his heart” and who was so “full of life.”
He participated in taekwondo, played the drums, was in a band, sang in the choir and was an Eagle Scout, among other hobbies, according to his obituary.
“Xander was always very helpful, scientific, very technical, loved computers, full of energy, had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile,” the obituary said.
‘Xander was kind, very polite, unique, creative, investigative and saw the good in everyone. He always tried to be the first to say, “I love you more.”
The Harvest of Horror said it had originally maintained operations after the death in accordance with the Sheriff’s Office instructions so it could “keep attendees away from the accident scene.”
The entrance gate to Haunted Hilltop where Jessen died.
The Haunted Hilltop called Jessen’s death “horrible” and “tragic” and closed for a week.
The Harvest of Horror also released a statement regarding Mick’s death, saying the loss filled them with “deep sadness.”
Mick leaves behind two brothers, his parents and his grandparents.
Jessen played soccer and basketball and had a “passion” for soccer, according to his obituary. The seventh grader was quarterback of his group and loved the University of Tennessee team.
Jessen hoped to one day be drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, his obituary revealed.
The student also loved playing with neighborhood children and was an “avid reader and incredible writer.”
‘Sam certainly had a zest for life. It was contagious. “His smile (along with his newly installed braces) lit up every room he was in,” the obituary said. ‘Sam was feisty and brave, but also compassionate and kind.
“Sam will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but especially by his family.”
Jessen leaves behind a brother, a sister and his parents.
