An 8-year-old boy tragically died after a swing set collapsed on him at a home in Missouri.
The incident took place in the 11300 block of Larimore Road around 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 21, according to a St. Louis County Police Department press release.
Officers from the North County Precinct found the child, identified as Cortez Williams Jr., unresponsive at the scene. A preliminary investigation revealed that he “was playing on a backyard swing set when it collapsed, trapping him beneath a crossbar,” police said. Family members were able to free him, and he initially appeared to have only minor injuries.
However, his condition worsened, and he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Cortez “CJ” Williams Jr.’s father, Cortez Williams Sr., described his son as a “joyful kid” who loved food, scary movies, and was eager to start playing soccer, according to CBS affiliate WUSA. CJ was set to celebrate his 9th birthday next month.
“He’d make anybody smile and laugh and love him,” his father said.
The boy was at his mother’s home in northern St. Louis County when the swing set collapsed. Williams recalled that CJ initially appeared unharmed. “He wasn’t bleeding … it was like he just had a little scratch on his stomach,” he said.
CJ was alert, talking, and asking for food and water shortly after the accident. But about an hour later, his condition suddenly deteriorated.
“He got up and walked around, but he fell down, and that’s when they went over and checked on him. He had no injuries,” his father said. “They said he wanted some water and something to eat, so they gave him some water, and she was finished cooking the food, and they said he was quiet for a while. Next thing you know, they said he wasn’t responding anymore.”
Williams, who was away on a business trip at the time, immediately flew home after hearing the news. “It’s pain that’ll never go away,” he said. “Because of his age … it’s just something that’ll never leave.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser started by Williams to help cover funeral expenses had raised over $4,000 as of midday Friday, Sept. 26.
The SLCPD confirmed that CJ’s death was accidental. Family members are awaiting the results of his autopsy.
