A Halloween prank at a haunted hayride in Harrison, Tennessee, ended in tragedy when a 12-year-old boy lost his life. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) reported the incident occurred at the Haunted Hilltop late in the evening on October 11, 2024.
The HCSO stated that they were called to the scene at approximately 10:45 p.m. following reports of a child being hit by a tractor. Investigations revealed that a group of young people, accompanied by an adult, were concealed near the hayride path with the intention of spooking the riders. The boy, in an unfortunate turn of events, slipped while attempting to jump onto the moving trailer, resulting in him falling under the wheels.
The victim was later identified as 12-year-old Samuel Jessen, who was found unresponsive and declared dead at the scene. The sheriff’s office issued a statement, saying, “The HCSO family extends our thoughts and sympathy to the family of the deceased juvenile, as well as the others who witnessed the tragic event. We ask the community also to keep this family in their prayers during this difficult time.”
While the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the age of the victim, further details have not been released.
In the aftermath of the incident, Haunted Hilltop halted its operations temporarily and shared a statement on Facebook. They wrote, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family affected by this. Please keep us all in your prayers!”
A similar tragedy unfolded the following night at a haunted hayride in St. Augusta, Minnesota, where 13-year-old Alexander Mick lost his life under similar circumstances. He too fell under a tractor-pulled trolley wagon during the event.
Both incidents are currently under investigation by local authorities who have expressed their condolences to the bereaved families. In respect to the victims’ families, haunted hayride events in both states have been canceled for the season. The authorities are urging the public to stay cautious around such attractions to prevent future tragedies.
