An 11-year-old boy died in a go-kart accident in upstate New York just days before starting middle school.
Parker Mitchell, 11, of Greece, New York, was driving the go-kart with his 8-year-old sister Teagan in Darien, New York, last Sunday when the vehicle rolled over into a nearby pond around 2:30 p.m., authorities said. The kart flipped and landed on top of Parker, pinning him underwater.
First responders pulled the preteen from the pond and rushed him to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he died. Teagan was able to escape the wreck and was treated at the scene before returning to her family, local authorities said.
Parker’s family remembered him in his obituary as a young athlete who played youth football and baseball. “He truly excelled at everything he did. He had a good heart, and his kindness left an impression on the people fortunate enough to meet him,” the obituary reads.
The family also described Parker as having a “curious spirit and a wonderful sense of adventure.” He loved spending time with friends and family, according to the remembrance.
Parker was a Buffalo Bills fan who enjoyed playing video games and spending time in nature, his family noted. “His life was short, but his impact will last forever,” his obituary said.
The boy “had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome,” according to the obituary.
Friends of the family have started an online fundraiser to assist them following the tragedy.