Two boys, aged 12, were killed on Halloween to warn their families

Two boys were killed while riding in the hay this month while offering a warning to parents about the potential danger of a popular autumn event on the eve of Halloween.

Samuel “Sam” Jessen, 12, of Ooltewah, TennesseeA tractor overturned on the Haunted Hilltop hayride in Chattanooga on Oct. 12, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Jessen and his friends hid in the bushes and tried to jump onto the trailer behind the tractor to scare its drivers. He slipped and fell under the wheels. Police said he was unresponsive.

“Please keep the Jessen family in your prayers during this extremely difficult time, as well as our staff,” Haunted Hilltop wrote on its Facebook page.

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Samuel “Sam” Jessen, 12, of Ultew, Tenn., was hit by a tractor on the Haunted Hilltop hairide in Chattanooga on Oct. 12, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said. (Williams Dingman Family Funeral Homes)

Oleksandr “Xander” Meek Rice, Minnesotawho was also 12, was killed when he was run over by a van in the Harvest of Horrors area of ​​Hayride in St. Augusta that same weekend, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office said. Despite lifesaving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s office said Tuesday that Meek’s death was accidental and no one saw it happen. The boy was volunteering at the event and was “part of a group whose job it was to scare the riders as they were dragged through the cornfield,” they said.

Harvest of Horror announced it was canceling the remaining events for the 2024 season “out of respect for the family involved.”

“Following this incident, representatives of the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department and other emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. The sheriff’s department officer initially instructed us to proceed with the event as normal so that participants would not enter the scene of the accident,” they wrote in the statement. The sheriff’s deputy ordered us to start letting the guests go and closing the event for the night. We followed all their instructions throughout the evening.”

“We are deeply saddened by this event and ask for thoughts, prayers and support for the family and friends of the individual involved and all those affected by this tragedy,” they continued.

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Alexander “Xander” Meek, 12, of Rice, Minn., was killed when he was hit by a van in the Hayride Hayride area of ​​St. Augustine on Oct. 11. (Heritage Funeral Home)

The families of both boys have launched a GoFundMe initiative to cover medical and burial costs.

Xander played drums, was in a band, sang in a choir, did taekwondo and was “almost an Eagle Scout,” according to his obituary.

“Xander was always so helpful, scholarly, very technical, loved computers, was full of energy, had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile,” the obituary said. “He loved Jesus with all his heart and shared it with others. Xander was kind, very polite, unique, creative, exploratory and saw the good in everyone. He always tried to be the first to say, “I love you more.” Xander was well known for his unique white hair that could be spotted from afar.’

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Jessen, who was in seventh grade, was passionate about football, according to his obituary. The young defender wanted to play for Kansas City Chiefs. He was also “an avid reader and (an) incredible writer,” the obituary continued.

“Sam certainly had a zest for life. It was contagious. His smile (complete with newly fitted braces) lit up every room he was in,” the obituary read. “Sam was fierce and fearless, but also compassionate and kind.”

Hayride Safety

Nationwide Children’s Hospital has several recommendations for the safety of children during walks, according to its website.

The hospital recommends that you read the posted rules before skating and explain them to your children. You should listen carefully to the staff, including the person selling the tickets, the person helping you into the car or trailer, and the tractor operator.

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Nationwide Children’s Hospital recommends that you read and explain posted riding rules to your children, listen to operators, and remain seated throughout the ride. (iStock)

Once seated, riders must remain seated throughout the ride and hold on to any handrails. Adults must hold their young children.

When you’re not hiking, it’s important to stay out of his way and warn your children not to do the same.

Finally, if you have any concerns about a ride or its operator, trust your instincts and find another seasonal activity that the whole family can do, the hospital recommends.