South Carolina high school football star Evan Kinley, 15, dies in freak accident after tree fell on him as he got out of his car to check in with grandparents during severe storm

A high school football star has died after being hit by a tree during severe storms outside his grandparents’ home.

Evan Kinley, a 15-year-old from Anderson, South Carolina, was getting out of his car when a tree uprooted and fell on him near the property’s garage.

TL Hanna’s sophomore had stopped by the house on Arnold Drive near Kings Road around 5 p.m. Monday.

His shocked grandparents were the first to discover Evan after the tree fell. The couple did everything they could to get him out, but he was too heavy to lift.

The 15-year-old sophomore came by to see his grandparents during severe storms

A tree uprooted and fell on top of him as he got out of the car

Their cherished grandson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner ruled that the student died by accident due to severe weather.

Evan was an esteemed volunteer firefighter with the Broadway Fire Department

He is remembered as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and cars.

Evan was also a volunteer junior firefighter with Broadway Fire Department and star of the TL Hanna football program where he played offensive guard for the high school team.

The team’s head football coach, Hanna Jason Tone, said Evan had a “can-do” attitude and was positive to be around.

“He just always had a smile on his face. He came to work every day, was a great teammate, very energetic (and) fun to be around and he had a lot of friends on the team.”

Rescue crews were on the scene on Arnold Drive near Kings around 5 p.m. Monday

Outside the grandparents’ house, an area has been cordoned off

Evan was known for his love of outdoor sports, fishing and cars

A message from the Broadway Fire Department said, “Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

“The next few days will be tough for them. Evan was a great kid.

“He was a junior firefighter with us and we really looked forward to having him in the future. He will surely be missed. Rest in peace our young friend. Gone too soon.’

Volunteer firefighter Kim Strickland said the loss of Evan was a heavy burden for many.

“We didn’t lose a 15-year-old, we didn’t lose Evan, we lost a family member,” they shared WYFF.

Charles Howell, another volunteer with the Broadway Fire Department, added, “We are siblings and this fire department will create a void because the smile when he walked in just changed the room.”

David Burnette, Chief of the Broadway Fire Department, said Kinley was an esteemed young man.

“It’s hard to say enough good about him and I’ll never be able to say enough to make him shine the way he should, to be honest.

“You had to know him, but if you knew him, you liked him.”

Superintendent Brenda Kelley of Anderson School District 5 warned parents about the tragedy in an email.

“Family Anderson Five, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that tonight Evan Kinley, a 10th grade student at TL Hanna High School, was tragically killed in the thunderstorms,” ​​she wrote.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time, and additional support staff will be serving at TL Hanna tomorrow to help students and staff work through this tragedy.

Words never seem to be comforting at a time like this, but please take a moment to remember why we are in the role that we are, and please keep in mind Evan, his family, and the TLH students, faculty, and staff like tomorrow you go on with your day.

“As the district learns more information about arrangements, we will be sure to send that information accordingly.”

A service will be held for Evan on Saturday, August 12.