13-Year-Old Dies in Haunted Hayride Crash Just 24 Hours After Similar Incident Killed Child in Different State

Mar. 15, 2025

Alexander “Xander” Mick, the 13-year-old who died at a Minnesota haunted hayride event on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.Photo:GoFundMe

GoFundMe

A haunted hayride in Minnesota has closed for the season after a teenager died at the popular attraction.

Crews responded to the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta on Saturday, Oct. 12, after receiving a report that a “young male had been injured” on site, according to a news release from theStearns County Sheriff’s Office.

Despite life-saving efforts, Mick was ultimately “pronounced deceased at the scene.”

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He is remembered as a “helpful” and tech-savvy teenager who “was full of energy, had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile.” He was also “well known for his unique white hair,” and “could be spotted from a distance.”

“Xander was kind, very polite, unique, creative, investigative, and saw the good in everyone,” the obituary stated.

In a statement shared to itswebsite, Harvest of Horror announced that “organizers have made the decision to cancel the remaining nights” on the 2024 schedule.

More than $34,000 has been raised through aGoFundMe campaignto support Mick’s family following the “tragic” incident as of Wednesday, Oct. 16.

A day earlier, on Oct. 11,another juvenile diedin a haunted hayride-related incident in Tennessee.

HSCO deputies “spoke with a chaperone for a group of juveniles that had been playing” near a hayride route on site when one of the juveniles “attempted to jump on the trailer" after hiding in some bushes.

The child was “found unresponsive” after he seemingly slipped and fell underneath the wheels, and later died at the scene, the HCSO said.

“Our Hearts and Prayers go out to the family [affected] in this,” the Haunted Hilltop said in a post shared to itsFacebookpage after the incident. “Please keep us all in your prayers!”

source: people.com