A 12-year-old boy was killed after a Halloween prank went horribly wrong at a haunted hayride attraction in Tennessee. The incident occurred at Haunted Hilltop, located in Harrison, late Friday night, October 11, 2024, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene around 10:45 p.m. after reports that a child had been struck by a tractor. Deputies learned that a group of juveniles, escorted by an adult, had been hiding near the hayride route, planning to scare the riders as part of the attraction. The boy reportedly attempted to jump onto the moving trailer but slipped, falling beneath the wheels.
The child, later identified as 12-year-old Samuel Jessen, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. “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,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “We ask the community also to keep this family in their prayers during this difficult time.”
The Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the child’s age but has not provided further information, citing the juvenile status of the deceased.
Haunted Hilltop temporarily shut down following the incident, releasing a statement expressing their condolences. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family affected by this. Please keep us all in your prayers!” the attraction’s Facebook post read.
This incident mirrored another Halloween tragedy the following night at a haunted hayride event in St. Augusta, Minnesota. Thirteen-year-old Alexander Mick also died after falling under a tractor-pulled trolley wagon during a similar attraction.
Local authorities are investigating both incidents and have expressed condolences to the families involved. The haunted hayride operators in both states have canceled their remaining events out of respect for the victims’ families. Authorities encourage the community to remain vigilant around such attractions to prevent future accidents.