Two boys tragically lost their lives in separate accidents at Halloween-themed haunted hayride events in Tennessee and Minnesota, according to authorities.
The first incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. on October 11 at the Haunted Hilltop Halloween event in Hamilton County, Tennessee. A group of children was playing near a path used by hayride tractors, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department reported. A chaperone said the children were hiding behind bushes, attempting to scare riders. One of the boys, identified as 12-year-old Samuel Jessen by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, tried to jump onto the moving trailer but slipped and fell under its wheels.
In a statement on Facebook, the event organizers confirmed that a boy had crossed a barrier and attempted to climb onto the side of the trailer before being run over. They expressed their condolences to the family and requested privacy for them to grieve. A GoFundMe was set up to assist the Jessen family with funeral expenses.
A similar tragedy struck the following evening on October 12 at the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta, Minnesota. At around 8 p.m., 13-year-old Alexander Mick was run over by a wagon pulled by a tractor. Despite efforts by attendees and first responders, Mick passed away at the scene, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Mick’s mother, Teri Mick, described her son as a vibrant and devoted child who loved Jesus. "He was full of life, a junior black belt in taekwondo, played drums for the worship team, and was involved in many activities including band, choir, robotics, soccer, and scouting," she told CBS News.
The Harvest of Horror attraction released a statement expressing their deep sorrow and confirmed their full cooperation with authorities. They also canceled the remaining nights of their 2024 event out of respect for the family.
Hayrides have been a popular rural tradition since the late 19th century, initially appealing to urban families seeking a countryside experience, according to the Northern Kentucky Tribune. However, safety concerns surrounding hayrides have persisted. Since 2000, at least 24 deaths and over 200 injuries have been linked to hayride accidents in the U.S., as noted by White Hutchinson, an agritourism consulting firm.
One of the most notable incidents occurred in 2014, when a 17-year-old girl was killed during a haunted hayride in Maine after the wagon slipped down a hill and struck a tree, injuring more than 20 others.
While voluntary safety standards exist for hayride operators, the lack of meaningful regulation has raised concerns in light of these tragic events.
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