Utah boy, 13, dies after ‘accidentally’ strangling himself with TETHERBALL rope while cleaning up his family’s corn maze

A Utah teenager has died after accidentally strangling himself with a chain rope in his family’s corn maze, reports indicate.

Maximus Knight, 13, who was described by his relatives as a “sweet and loving child”, had helped clean up at Knights Corn Maze in Venice on Saturday but was later found with the rope around his neck.

The boy’s family frantically searched for him after noticing he was missing. When he was found, Maximus was not breathing and had no pulse.

Emergency personnel arrived and the teen’s pulse was restored.

He was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to another location on the Wasatch Front for additional treatment, where he later died.

Maximus (bottom right) and his family. The teen helped clean up at Knights Corn Maze in Venice, Utah on Saturday, but was later found with the rope around his neck

Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis said the incident was believed to be an accident and there was no evidence of foul play or suspicious activity.

The boy’s exact cause of death will be investigated by the medical examiner’s office.

In a GoFundMe account post, the teen’s aunt wrote, “On 10/28/23, a tragic accident took the life of 13-year-old Maximus Knight.

“Maximus was a beautiful, sweet and loving child who brought so much joy to his family and to his community.

‘Maximus, the youngest of his family, did everything he could to impress his big brothers and to care for the people around him.

“Our hearts are broken as we struggle to make sense of this tragedy. We will forever mourn his passing.”

She also noted that “the Knight family has shown dedication to their community.”

She said: “As a labor of love, the Knight family brought joy and togetherness to many with their family corn maze.

“Maximus was actively involved in the family corn maze and his community.”

From Tuesday morning the GoFundMe had raised more than $24,000 toward the $30,000 goal.