Mason Sundberg’s family released a statement identifying the 8-year-old boy killed by a falling tree at a Massachusetts summer camp.
The Sundberg family spoke out Thursday, two days after Mason, a student at Loring Elementary School in Sudbury, was struck by a falling tree at YMCA Camp Chickami in Wayland. The boy was flown by MedFlight to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. His family released their tribute through the Sudbury Police Department.
“Mason left us yesterday, but his kindness, love, and smile never will. A fiercely loyal, loving, empathetic friend to old friends and new,” his family wrote in the statement.
“A perfect son, grandson, nephew and cousin – he loved his family more than anything (and his dog River.)”
The family painted a vivid picture of a joyful child full of energy and creativity. “Mason was funny, goofy and crazy in all the right ways; he will be remembered for singing and dancing around the house with a wide smile on his face and a skip in his step,” they wrote.
The young camper’s interests ranged from video games and sushi to swimming and skiing. “Running everywhere, and a good holiday celebration with over-the-top decorations” also made the list, his grieving relatives noted. They added that he “loved to draw and build stories with his friends, a notebook in his bag everywhere he went.”
The West Suburban YMCA, which operates Camp Chickami, also issued statements as the community reeled. “The entire West Suburban YMCA family is grieving the loss of a young camper when a tree fell at Camp Chickami in Wayland on Tuesday,” West Suburban YMCA President & CEO Jack Fucci said in a statement obtained by WCVB. “We are keeping the camper’s family foremost in our thoughts at this extraordinarily difficult time.”
Fucci added that grief counseling and other support resources were being made available to camp staff, campers, and their families. Camp Chickami, founded in 1955 on a 22-acre wooded property, closed early on Tuesday and remained shut through Wednesday.
Wayland Fire Chief Neil McPherson addressed the mechanics of the tragedy at a Tuesday news conference. “It was a large tree that took down another tree, and it was kind of a domino effect that set off the whole thing,” he explained. “The child was hit by a large branch and the employee, one of the counselors here, was hit by a smaller branch.” McPherson described the event as “highly unusual” but noted that “it’s a wooded area. Natural events happen that we don’t expect. This appears to be one of those cases.”
The counselor struck by the smaller branch was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released. Acting Wayland Police Chief Mark Hebert also offered condolences, saying, “I want to offer our sincere thoughts and support to the family and friends who are facing this tragic loss.”
In the viral moment that preceded the family’s statement, emergency responders rushed to Camp Chickami on Boston Post Road at approximately 10:45 a.m. Tuesday after a large tree fell in a wooded area of the camp, causing what firefighters called a domino effect as it knocked down another tree. Mason was initially taken to Wayland Town Hall, where a MedFlight helicopter transported him to Massachusetts General Hospital. The Sudbury Police Department announced Wednesday that the boy had died from his injuries, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office confirmed the death.
The Sundberg family closed their statement with a final tribute to their son’s enduring spirit. “His brightness will be missed, but never forgotten to those who loved him,” they wrote. “He may be gone, but his soul lives on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him.” The Sudbury Police Department said Thursday that grief counseling was being made available for students in the community.
Funeral services for Mason Sundberg had not yet been announced as of Thursday.