A four-year-old girl has died after falling from a trailer attached to a tractor and being run over on her family’s farm in Clark County, Kentucky.
Hellayna Michelle King, known as Layna, was riding at the rear of the vehicle when it stopped suddenly, throwing her on to the ground. The tractor then reversed over her, according to Clark County Coroner Neal Oliver.
Layna was critically injured in the accident on September 2 and died shortly afterwards. She would have turned five on October 5.
Her family said a closed bridge nearby contributed to the wait for emergency services. Layna’s aunt, LaDonna Lovings, said relatives remained with the badly injured child for about 45 minutes before help arrived.
“They had to sit there 45 minutes with her and it was just a tragic, tragic loss,” Ms Lovings told WKYT.
She said the bridge closure had forced responders to take a considerably longer route to the property.
“If the bridge had been open, it would’ve taken them maybe 15, 20 minutes to get there,” she said.
“And you know, it may have made a difference, and it may not have made a difference – but the fact that somebody was there to try and help her would’ve made a difference.”
Layna’s family described her as their “sunshine”. In her obituary, they said the farm had been a special place for her and that she particularly loved the cows.
“Whether she was outside playing, helping on the farm, or singing a favorite song, Layna embraced life with an energy and happiness that will be deeply missed by everyone who loved her,” the obituary said.
She was one of four children and was remembered as a lively youngster who loved singing and animals.
Her mother, Rebecca Lovings, said the family was struggling to cope with the loss while trying to care for Layna’s three surviving siblings.
“You know accidents happen all the time and you just don’t think it’s going to happen to you,” she wrote in a fundraising appeal seeking help with the cost of an urn and household expenses.
“We are so heartbroken we have lost our world and don’t know how to carry on with our lives,” she added.
Ms Lovings said the family had missed work while arranging Layna’s farewell and had found it difficult to ask strangers for financial assistance.
“I don’t like asking for help but will need to swallow my pride as we need to get an urn for our beautiful baby girl,” she wrote.
