13-year-old killed in haunted hayride accident, MN cops say. ‘Hold your babies tight’
A 13-year-old boy died after he was run over during a haunted hayride in Minnesota, authorities say.
The incident happened Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta, according to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
“The initial caller reported that a young male had been injured when he was run over by a trolley wagon being pulled by a tractor,” the sheriff’s office said.
The boy, identified as Alexander “Xander” Mick, was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said.
Steven Mick, Xander’s father, called his son’s death a “devastating time” for the family. He remembered his son for his “infectious smile,” his long white hair and his “energy in life.”
Xander attended Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School and was a member of the band, choir, robotics team and soccer team, according to an obituary. He was also active in Boy Scouts, his church and was a junior black belt.
“Xander was kind, very polite, unique, creative, investigative, and saw the good in everyone,” the obituary said.
He was described by his mother, Teri Mick, as “an angel on earth.”
“Hold your babies tight,” she said. “I would do anything to hold my baby again.”
The remaining nights of the annual haunted hayride have been canceled, Harvest of Horror organizers said.
The hayride, in its 15th year of operation, takes guests “on a hayride through a cornfield, then you go through the woods, a haunted house and a wild west town,” WJON reported.
Organizers for the attraction did not what led to the fatal accident but said numerous “young adults” patrol the grounds for security and safety.
“We 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,” Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride said in a statement on its website.
St. Augusta is about a 65-mile drive northwest from Minneapolis.
This story was originally published October 15, 2024 at 8:49 AM with the headline "13-year-old killed in haunted hayride accident, MN cops say. ‘Hold your babies tight’."