13-year-old killed by tractor wagon in Stearns County on Saturday
A 13-year-old boy died after being run over by a wagon that was being pulled by a tractor in Stearns County on Saturday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
First responders were called to the accident at 4108 200th Street in St. Augusta around 7:37 p.m. on Saturday — the location of the annual Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride.
The 911 caller said a boy had been run over by a trolley wagon being pulled by a trailer.
Hayride staff members and bystanders — including an off-duty officer and an off-duty medic — tried to help the boy before first responders arrived. St. Augusta Fire Department and Mayo Ambulance officials continued giving the boy first aid but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office identified the boy as 13-year-old Alexander Mick, of Rice.
In a social media post that’s garnering hundreds of messages of support, the parents of Mick posted the following over the weekend.
“Hold your babies tight. I would do anything to hold my baby again. Xander made his way to heaven last night and I will forever miss him. I am beyond grateful for our friends and family and all their love and support they’ve given. I pray for rest and acceptance and I pray for all those who loved Xander. He was an angel on earth and I’m so happy he gets to rest with Jesus now. Give your loved ones a hug and don’t let go so soon.”
A statement from the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride posted on Monday evening can be read in full below.
“With deep sadness organizers of the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride share that a tragic accident occurred at the event on the evening of Saturday, October 12th, 2024. The incident involved the event’s hayride and resulted in a fatality.
Harvest of Horror partners with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program. Numerous young adults from this program are present during each night of the event, moving around the grounds to add a level of security and safety. After this incident occurred representatives of the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department and other emergency medical personnel reported to the scene. A member of the Sheriff’s Department initially instructed us to keep the event operating as usual so as to keep attendees away from the accident scene. Sometime later we were instructed by a Sheriff’s deputy to begin turning away guests and closing down the event for the night. We complied with all of their instructions throughout the evening. We are cooperating fully with the authorities and are grateful for their support. 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.
Out of respect to the family involved, the organizers have made the decision to cancel the remaining nights of the 2024 Harvest of Horror.”