A 15-year-old died in Seattle last week after falling from a structure at Gas Works Park in Seattle.
According to a report by Komo News, the incident occurred on Thursday last week at around 10:30 PM. Emergency services reportedly transported the injured teen to Harborview Medical Center, but he died from his injuries. Abby Hunt, the principal at Ballard High School, confirmed the teen’s passing in a letter addressed to families.
According to People, the letter reveals the teens identity and reads, “This week, our school and community mourn the loss of one of our students, Mattheis Johnson. With permission from his family, we share this tragic news. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Mattheis died following an accident, and his passing comes as an unexpected shock to all those who knew him.”
Komo News reveals that witnesses saw the boy fall from a staircase. Other onlookers reportedly said they saw a group of teenagers walking on the steps near the top of the structure before one of them fell. The Seattle Fire Department confirmed in a statement that Johnson fell roughly 50 feet from a platform in the park. They also confirmed that authorities rushed him to the hospital in a critical condition.
What Were The Teens Doing At The Seattle Gas Works Park?
A GoFundMe set up on the family’s behalf claims that Johnson was at a “pop-up concert at Gas Works Park.” The fundraiser also reveals that Johnson was a young musician. He released a teaser track for his upcoming second album the morning before the accident. The GoFundMe post concludes, “If you’re unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this page or leaving a memory of Mattheis. Every act of support means the world.”
Earlier this month, several concertgoers at a Beyoncé performance were injured in a stampede after the event. Witnesses explain that crowds boarded an escalator at the nearby MARTA station. However, the escalator suddenly “lurched forward” and stopped. The quick movement sent fans into a panic as they started to trample over each other on the stairs.
Authorities reported no fatalities and emergency services wheeled several people away in stretchers. One concertgoer reportedly suffered a broken ankle. A witness described the scene, saying, “People just tumbling on each other. It was crazy, it was chaotic.”