A 9-year-old died on Sunday after a goal post collapsed on him at a Hell’s Kitchen, New York, school.
The child was identified as Tommaso Cerase, who was partaking in a church youth event at Park West High School. The goal post collapsed at around 10 a.m., according to the New York Daily News.
Tommaso was hanging off the goal post in an indoor gym when it collapsed and fell on him, officials said, the Daily News reported. However, Fox5 in New York reported that the boy ran into the goal post before it fell on him.
Officers who rushed to the scene discovered the boy unconscious with severe head trauma. He was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be saved, the New York Daily News reported.
Tommaso was practicing with eight other children and was supervised by three adults in a program run by Juventus Academy, police told the Daily News.
“Today our dearest son Tommaso passed away in an unfortunate accident at his soccer practice,” the family said in a statement. “He was full of life and joy. At this moment the family is asking for respect for their privacy so they can continue their process of grieving.”
Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina released a statement, which read: “This tragic incident is heartbreaking and our thoughts are with this student’s family and school community during this devastating time…”
“He was a wonderful boy, that’s all,” said a family friend.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Facebook: “Our prayers are with his family. Heartbreaking.”
