Urgent warning over popular Halloween activity that has killed two young boys

Parents have been urged to take extra care after two young boys were run over by farm vehicles during ghost rides in several states.

Samuel “Sam” Jessen, 12, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, was run over by a tractor along the Haunted Hilltop Halloween hayride trail in Chattanooga last weekend around 11 p.m. after hiding in the bushes with his friends. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said.

While trying to scare other haymakers, Jessen tried to jump onto the trailer, slipped and fell under the wheels. According to police, he was found unconscious.

That same weekend, Alexander “Xander” Mick, 12, of Rice, Minnesota, was also killed during the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta when he was run over by a wagon, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office said.

Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

That same weekend, Alexander “Xander” Mick, 12, of Rice, Minnesota, (pictured) was also killed at the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta after being run over by a wagon.

The Haunted Hilltop called Jessen’s death “terrible” and “tragic” and closed for a week.

“Please keep the Jessen family in your prayers during this super difficult time, as well as our staff,” the company wrote Facebook.

The Harvest of Horror also released a statement on Mick’s death, saying the loss filled them with “deep sadness.”

“Out of respect for the family involved, the organizers have decided to cancel the remaining nights of the Harvest of Horror 2024,” a statement said. statement.

The company also said it initially continued operations following the death as directed by the Sheriff’s Office so they could “keep visitors away from the accident scene.”

“Sometime later, we were instructed by a sheriff’s deputy to turn away guests and close the event for the night. We complied with all their instructions throughout the evening,” the report said.

While trying to scare other haymakers, Jessen tried to jump onto the trailer, slipped and fell under the wheels. According to police, he was found unconscious (photo: Chattanooga, TN)

Life-saving attempts were made to save Mick but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene (photo: St. Augusta, MN)

GoFundMe fundraisers have been launched for the Jesse And Mick families to help pay for the boys’ funerals.

As of Saturday morning, Jessen’s had raised over $37,000 toward its $30,000 goal and Mick’s had raised over $39,000 toward its $30,000 goal.

In his GoFundMe, Mick’s mother, Teri Mick, remembers her “amazingly unique child” as someone “who loved Jesus with all his heart” and who was so “full of life.”

He competed in taekwondo, played drums, was in a band, sang in the choir and was an Eagle Scout, among other things, according to his obituary.

“Xander was always so helpful, scholarly, very technical, loved computers, full of energy, had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile,” the obituary said.

‘Xander was kind, very polite, unique, creative, inquisitive and saw the good in everyone. He always tried to say first, “I love you more.”

The Harvest of Horror said it initially continued post-death operations as directed by the Sheriff’s Office so they could “keep visitors away from the accident scene.”

The front gate to the Haunted Hilltop where Jessen died

The Haunted Hilltop called Jessen’s death “terrible” and “tragic” and closed for a week

The Harvest of Horror also released a statement on Mick’s death, saying the loss filled them with “deep sadness.”

Mick is survived by two brothers, his parents and his grandparents.

Jessen played football and basketball and, according to him, had a “passion” for football obituary. The seventh grader was a quarterback for his group and loved the University of Tennessee team.

Jessen hoped to one day be drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to his obituary.

The student also enjoyed playing with the neighborhood children and was an “avid reader and” [an] incredible writer.’

“Sam certainly had a zest for life. It was contagious. His smile (along with his recently installed braces) lit up any room he was in,” the obituary said. “Sam was feisty and fearless, but also compassionate and kind.

“Sam will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but especially by his family.”

Jessen is survived by a brother, sister and his parents.