NORTHVILLE, Mich. – The community of Northville is grappling with the tragic death of 12-year-old Declan Carter, who died when a tree fell on him during a school trip to the Howell Nature Center.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday (Sept. 26). A vigil was held at his school on Friday.
The Howell Nature Center was closed Friday, and no one wanted to talk after the 12-year-old boy who died here during an overnight class trip.
“It is almost unfathomable,” said Northville Mayor Brian P. Turnbull.
Carter was with his classmates, listening to an instructor when a 20-foot-tall dead tree fell on top of him.
“We’re all hurting,” Turnbull said. “It was a tough night for many of us last night.”
Carter attended Our Lady of Victory Parish catholic school in Northville.
He was airlifted from the Howell Nature Center to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor before succumbing to his injuries hours later.
“Imagine anybody that you’re so close to, and all of sudden they’re not there,” Turnbull said. "
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Turnbull knows the Carter family well, as Declan’s father, John, is a council member.
“We will do anything we possibly can for the Carter,” Turnbull said. “For John and for Lizs’ family. “It’s a healing process, and we are just shocked. We are all shocked, the whole town and the close-knit community that it is.”
Turnbull says Declan’s legacy will live on as the Carter family prepares for a funeral.
“We were all proud of him,” Turnbull said. “His family was all proud of him. He was energetic, always talkative, and academically strong. He was just a great kid.”
The flags in Northville were flown at half-staff Friday in Declan’s honor. Classes at Our Lady of Victory Parish were canceled, but grief counselors were available for students who needed to talk.
