A North Carolina child has died after sledding across a golf course and into a body of water.
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According to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, the tragic incident occurred on Saturday, Jan. 11, at around 9:12 a.m. local time. Officials claimed that law enforcement was called for a water rescue at the Golf House Road West in Whitsett, North Carolina.
“Upon arrival, emergency responders located a child in the water,” officials stated. “The child was immediately transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident.”
Two first responders and three civilians, who had helped get the child out of the water, were also taken to the nearby hospital for medical evaluation.
Officials stated that the child died as a result of a sledding accident. Witnesses who spoke to Fox 8 confirmed that the child was sledding with other children when they ended up in the body of water.
The Child Who Died in Golf Course Sledding Accident Later Identified As a Toddler
The child who died during the golf course sledding accident was identified as Ayden Sasser.
The New York Post reported that the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the child became trapped under the ice after landing in the water.
“Please, please, please,” an unidentified woman told the operator during the 911 call. “There is thin ice, and they’re trying to get to him. They’re trying to help.”
The caller also told the operator that the child was near the middle of the lake, and two people had already jumped into the water to help.
“I think they got him. It’s really cold, though,” she explained. “I don’t know. He was in there for a good minute. He’s probably freezing cold.”
“I don’t think he’s OK. I’m scared,” the caller continued to share while sobbing. “I don’t want him to die.”
Following the shocking death, the child’s mother, Angel Nicole Sasser, took to Facebook to announce the news.
“My life…my baby…I don’t know how to move forward…” she wrote. “I just don’t have words… energy… nothing… this is all I have at the moment… I love you all. We just want lots of love… hugs… kind words.”
She also shared a GoFundMe dedicated to helping the family with housing and funeral arrangements. The fundraiser has already raised nearly $34,000 from more than 300 donations.