A CHILD has died after becoming trapped in a storm drain when flash floods hit as he played outside with his friends.
Mason Kearns, 13, from Mount Airy, Maryland, was swept into the pipe on July 31 after being caught by strong floodwaters just 20 feet from his home.
His heartbroken family has revealed how the teenager was “left stuck and unable to move” in the drain where he drowned before responders could free him.
“His 15-year-old brother was present, just feet away when Mason was swept off of his feet, and in a matter of seconds – He was gone,” the family wrote on a GoFundMe page.
“Mason’s brother, mother and neighbors attempted to free him while Responders were on their way, but the pressure was too much to overcome.”
The Mount Airy Police Department and Mount Airy Volunteer fire Company arrived to the scene near the Watersville Apartments around 5:20pm.
Police Chief Michael Ginevra confirmed that the “rescue mission tragically turned into a recovery mission”.
The tragedy took place during a “severe weather event” that caused “rapidly rising floodwaters,” he said.
The family said officials “worked tirelessly for over 45 minutes before the massive amount of water could be drafted from around the drain and Mason could be recovered.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Ginerva said.
“We ask the community to keep them in their hearts and to recognize the dedication of the first responders who answered the call without hesitation.”
The Fire Company told 11 News how Mason had gone outside to play with a group of children moments before the flash flooding hit.
Before responders got there, a neighbor told the outlet how she had been driving past and knew something was wrong.
She recalled how she “flew out of the car, jumped into the water and started yanking on him”.
“We just couldn’t get him out,” she added.
Mason was “waist deep” in the floodwaters when responders arrived, but “the water came up very quickly,” Doug Alexander, the public information officer for the fire company, told CBS affiliate WJZ.
There is now a darkness in our family where his light used to shine…This will be a long, unimaginable journey.
Mason’s family
“The pipe is so small, and this is a child’s body that fits in there, was pushed in there by the current,” he explained.
“The current was extremely strong, according to the guys who were on the scene here.
“I’ve been in this with the Mt. Airy Fire Department for 58 years, and this is, this is one of the worst situations I’ve seen.”
“It’s terrible. Any time a child dies it’s awful,” neighbor Henry Rosenblit said of the tragedy.
“I have a child of my own and I couldn’t imagine having to go through something like that.”
FAMILY TRIBUTE
A candlight vigil is being held at Watkins Park at 8pm on Sunday where donations can be made, the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company announced.
The family is raising money for funeral and burial costs as well as other expenses related to the tragedy.
“Mason was the kindest, funniest, most optimistic young man,” they wrote on the fundraising page.
“An avid skateboarder and animal lover, loyal to all who he cherished.
“There is now a darkness in our family where his light used to shine.”
“This will be a long, unimaginable journey for all who knew and loved Mason,” they added.
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has raised over $36,400.
In other parts of the state, emergency responders had to rescue families from cars that were being pushed off the roads by torrents of water.
