Boy, 5, dies after being ‘run down’ by float at Christmas parade
A FIVE-year-old boy has died after being hit by a float after a Christmas parade, cops say.
Ameer Frazier was being dropped off in the Red Ceder Elementary School parking lot when he was allegedly hit after the parade in South Carolina.
Cops confirmed that little Ameer was hit by a float after the Christmas parade in Bluffton.
"[It happened] at the end of the parade at the drop off point where all the floats go," Bluffton Police Department spokesperson Capt. Joe Babkiewicz told The Sun Online.
The little boy was rushed to the Memorial University Medical Center where he later died, according to reports.
Ameer's aunt took to social media on Sunday night, describing his death as an "unimaginable [loss]."
"Yesterday, our family endured a great [loss] and unimaginable [loss]," wrote Carletha Frazier Singleton.
"Our sweet angel Ameer Frazier took flight to be in heaven."
She thanked everyone "for the calls, texts and messages of concern and heartfelt condolences."
";We ask that you continue to pray for us during this extremely difficult time," Frazier Singleton added.
Local police are interviewing witnesses to find out how the float crash happened.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ameer and to those who witnessed the accident," Bluffton Police Chief Chris Chapmond said.
"This is an accident that can only be described as tragic and unimaginable."
"The parade is such a great event and for something like this to happen is just tragic," agreed Capt. Babkiewicz.
"We as a department and as community members are there to support the family in any way we can."
Bluffton police said additional counselors have been deployed to schools in the The Beaufort County School District to help grieving students and staff.
Ameer attended attended kindergarten at MC Riley Elementary, reports WTOC.
Local school Okatie Elementary School also issued their condolences in a Facebook statement.
";Parents, unfortunately the day of the annual holiday parade ended with a tragic accident," it read.
"That resulted in the loss of life to a student from within our community, who was also a Bulldog Pup.
"This Tuesday, Okatie and neighboring schools within our cluster will join forces to assist the family with the unexpected expenses and needs."
Okatie students will be allowed to wear their favorite jersey and jeans for a donation tomorrow to help Ameer's family.
The local community in Bluffton have rallied around Ameer's bereaved family in the wake of his untimely death.
Friends and family have organized dinners for his grieving parents to "lessen the burden" after his death via the Take Them A Meal website.
Cops said that Ameer's death is being investigated and no charges are expected to be filed at this time.