A 3-year-old South Carolina boy who was hit by a falling tree in his home died from his injuries.
Alex Sheptock was hit by the tree inside the family’s house in Sumter County on April 19 as storms rolled through the area.
“When the tree first fell he was crying and alert, then got quiet,” Yvonne Smith-Harris, his aunt, told WLTX. “We don’t know how long he didn’t have oxygen to the brain. That’s where the brain injury comes in, only time will tell.”
“It hit the middle of the house and split the whole house,” she added. “And it caused a lot of damage.”
Alex’s sister, Cadence, and their father were also inside the house. Cadence was hit, too, but managed to get free and run for help.
‘Hope for a miracle’: SC 3-year-old in critical conditon after tree crashes into home https://t.co/1kzQNJE5qK pic.twitter.com/8Y6steZoUg
— News 19 WLTX (@WLTX) April 25, 2019
A 3-year-old boy from Sumter remains in the hospital after a tree fell on his home and injured him on Friday. Tonight on @WLTX his family talks about how the community is rallying around the toddler and praying for his recovery pic.twitter.com/8BpF99s6gH
— Jenna Kurzyna (@JkurzynaTV) April 24, 2019
Emergency responders had to cut out a part of the roof and remove the tree to free the boy.
“I’m very surprised he survived. When we went and looked at the damage, I’m very surprised,” Smith-Harris said.
She wrote on a GoFundMe fundraising page that the three “split my nephew’s home in half” and left the boy pinned for around 20 minutes. He had to be resuscitated.
“They had ran every test possible and doing all that they can. The CT scans showed low brain activity and the machines are the only thing keeping him alive. Outside of a miracle he’s not going to make it,” she said, asking people to pray for a miracle.
Our baby lost his fight please continue to pray for for his family.We never got a miracle like we expected.We love you Alex.
Posted by Yvonne Smith-Harris on Friday, April 26, 2019
On April 26, she posted on Facebook that Alex had passed away.
“Our baby lost his fight please continue to pray for for his family. We never got a miracle like we expected. We love you Alex,” she wrote.
Many people left their condolences for the family.
Posted by Yvonne Smith-Harris on Friday, April 26, 2019
“I am so sorry for your loss. You and the entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Gods blessings,” wrote one Facebook user.
“Prayers for your family during this storm! God Bless and keep you,” added another.
“I am so lost for words. Sending prayers to all . My heart breaks for everyone,” added another.
