Three children were involved in a tragic tubing accident earlier this week in Florida, resulting in one d**th and two injuries.
The incident happened near the Putnam-Alachua County line on Star Lake in Hawthorne. This lake is about 22 miles away from Gainesville, Florida. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the children—ages 8, 10, and 11—were riding on a tube being pulled by a Sea-Doo jet ski when it hit a dock, throwing all three off per local station WCJB.
Per TV20, the youngest child, age 8, d**d in the cr*sh. Kalon, 10, was seriously injured and is now fighting for his life at UF Health Shands. He is the son of a Citrus County deputy. The third child, age 11, is recovering at home.
Kalon had been visiting his grandparents with his sister when the accident happened. His mother has stayed by his side in the hospital, while his father, a school resource officer, travels back and forth from home to the hospital.
Since both parents are unable to work full-time right now, the community has started a GoFundMe to help the family with expenses.
According to the family’s GoFundMe, Kalon is a bright and outgoing 10-year-old who “never meets a stranger,” a quality his loved ones call “the Taylor in him.” His mom works in healthcare.
While visiting their grandparents’ lake house, Kalon and his sister Olivia were tubing with friends when the group collided with a dock. One child was ki**ed, another is recovering at home, and Kalon is now in critical condition at UF Shands.
Despite the tragedy, Kalon is showing strength and progress in his recovery. His mother remains by his side, and his father travels between the hospital and home.
The GoFundMe asks for support from the community to help the family during this difficult time. So far the family has raised almost $13,000.
