Tragic Accident: 9-Year-Old Boy with Autism Dies After Falling into Water Behind Brooklyn IKEA
In a heartbreaking incident, a 9-year-old boy with autism lost his life after falling into the water behind a Brooklyn IKEA store on Wednesday night. The incident, which appears to be a tragic accident, has left the community devastated.
The child, who was nonverbal, went missing at 8:58 p.m., just minutes before the IKEA store closed for the day. Surveillance video showed the child heading towards the water just behind the store in Red Hook. His mother had lost track of him while he was playing with his siblings inside the store.
Authorities immediately launched a desperate search operation, involving drones, divers, K9 units, and officers. Eyewitness News was present at the scene as first responders tirelessly combed the water in hopes of locating the missing boy. Initial progress was made when they found the orange crocs he was wearing.
“It’s a shame. I know they had big boats looking, firefighters everywhere, cops everywhere,” expressed a man who works nearby. “They even asked one of my coworkers to check the cameras to get any further details.”
However, three hours after he went missing, the search came to a devastating end. The boy was found unresponsive on the water’s edge of the Erie Basin. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after. It is believed that he drowned.
Heartbroken witnesses at the scene expressed their grief, with one eyewitness stating, “I have kids and I have grandkids of my own. It’s heartbreaking. And I’ve never seen anything like this. You hear about this on TV, but this is heart-wrenching.”
The boy’s family revealed that he had a deep love for the water and the ocean, which may have explain why he ran towards the Erie Basin. The tragic accident serves as a devastating reminder of the importance of water safety, especially for children with autism or other developmental conditions.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, but all signs point to a tragic accident. The community will undoubtedly rally around the grieving family during this difficult time.
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As the news of this unfortunate incident spreads, it serves as a reminder for everyone to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their loved ones, particularly near bodies of water.