School is much more than just a place of learning—it’s a central part of childhood and a nurturing environment where memories are made, friendships are forged, and both academic and social growth is fostered. Whether it’s the carefree laughter at recess, the thrill of field trips, the magical moments that unfold at school dances, or the organized structure of classroom assignments and projects, these everyday moments shape the school experience as a whole. They are an integral part of growing up.

However, within the familiar routines that school days provide, students, teachers, and parents alike can often forget the delicate nature of everyday moments and the sense of normalcy we take for granted.

In this list, we will explore how even the most ordinary aspects of school life can set the stage for unexpected tragedy and sorrow. From a fatal accident on a playground slide to a teacher’s tragic death in the parent pick-up line to a mother’s devastating final act at her daughter’s graduation, this list explores ten common school events and activities that were transformed into heartbreaking, tragic events no one could have expected.

Related: 10 Bizarre (and Tragic) Food-Related Deaths

10 Recess

Recess is a cherished part of the school day, giving children a much-needed break from their academic routines and an opportunity to engage in free play and interact with their peers. Unfortunately, this much-anticipated part of the school day was marred by a tragic accident, leaving a Utah community in mourning.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m. on February 6, 2023, the Tooele County Sheriff’s Department responded to an injury report at Rose Springs Elementary School in Erda, Utah. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that as eight-year-old Dallin Cunningham came down a corkscrew slide on the school’s playground, he “flew out” 7 feet (2.1 meters) above ground, landing on his head in an area of “frozen rock-hard” ground.

When the recess monitors initially found Cunningham, he was unconscious but breathing. However, Cunningham later stopped breathing, prompting the recess monitors to perform CPR until a patrol officer arrived on the scene and took over. Cunningham was rushed to a local hospital but, sadly, never regained consciousness. He died on February 7, 2023, due to blunt force trauma to his head.

While the slide was removed from the playground, Cunningham’s parents, Kathryn and Timothy, also went on to sue the Tooele County School District for negligence, seeking $90,000 for their son’s medical expenses. Cunningham’s parents stated that the school district not only failed to properly supervise the use of the playground equipment but also allowed “unreasonably dangerous” conditions on the playground.

Aside from the circular slide being “excessively fast and steep,” the structure also had an excessive slope, lacked guardrails on the side, and lacked high banking “to keep children inside the slide instead of flying out.” In addition to the safety standards not being met on the slide, the playground also contained an inadequate amount of playground mulch to cushion Cunningham’s fall—just 1 inch (2.5 cm)—and was frozen solid underneath. Per standards, there should have been 12 inches (30 cm) of mulch filling the area below the slide.^[1]

9 Lunch

The Mid-Day Meal program was first introduced for poor and disadvantaged children in Chennai, India (formerly Madras) in 1925. It has since become one of the world’s largest school nutrition programs, reaching 120 million children in 1.2 million schools across the country. While the program was intended to put a dent in India’s chronic malnutrition problem by providing an incentive to poor families to send their children to school, nearly two dozen children lost their lives after consuming food served through the national campaign.

On July 16, 2023, two cooks, Manju Devi and Pano Devi, began preparing a meal of rice, lentils, soybeans, and potatoes for children at the Dharmasati-Gandaman Primary School in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. Devi, however, noticed that the mustard oil used to prepare the food looked and smelled bad, but when she raised concerns with the school’s principal, Meena Kumari, Devi was told to use it anyway.

Soon after their first bite of lunch, the students began fainting and vomiting, and within hours, they began dying. In total, 23 children between the ages of 5 and 12 died, and more than two dozen others became sick as a result of eating the free meal. Both Kumari and her husband—the owner of the grocery store where the ingredients were sourced—fled as soon as the students became sick.

Naturally, with dozens of innocent children dead and dozens of others hospitalized from a school meal, angry allegations of blame and violent protests throughout the region became widespread, with many refusing to eat food from the program.

Scientific tests later revealed “very toxic” levels of monocrotophos—an organophosphorus compound used as an insecticide—in the meals, specifically high contamination in the vegetable oil used to prepare the food. Investigators also later discovered that Kumari’s husband, Arjun Rai, stored pesticide at the school for use at his farm and that the chefs had cooked with it by mistake.

On July 24, 2023, 36-year-old Kumari was on the way to turn herself in when she was arrested. Both Kumari and Rai were charged with murder. However, they both denied any deliberate act on their part in harming the children. Kumari’s husband was later acquitted by the court, but on August 29, 2016, she was sentenced to a total of 17 years in jail for culpable homicide and negligence. She was also ordered to pay a $4,476.69 (Rs. 3.75 lakh) fine.^[2]

8 Parent Pick-Up Line

Parent pick-up lines are a common feature at most schools and are designed as a way to not only streamline the dismissal process but also keep children safe. These lines offer the convenience of remaining in your vehicle during pick-up, shielding parents from inclement weather and eliminating the need to navigate crowded hallways in search of students. However, these lines also bring their own set of challenges—long waits, traffic congestion, and, at times, frustration for both parents and staff alike.

Despite such a well-intentioned system, one kindergarten teacher in Missouri lost her life in a tragic incident while assisting with the school’s parent pick-up line. On September 5, 2018, 48-year-old Angel Hayes was guiding students and cars as rain fell in the parent pick-up line at Benton Elementary School in Neosho, Missouri. Eighty-eight-year-old Erwin Parker was in line that day, waiting to pick up his 12-year-old granddaughter from school.

Unfortunately, Parker’s foot became caught between the gas and brake pedals of his SUV, causing the vehicle to lurch forward and hit Hayes. The SUV continued moving through the parking lot, dragging Hayes an estimated 20 to 25 yards (18 to 22 meters) before striking another vehicle and finally coming to a stop.

Neosho Police officers were called to the school, where emergency personnel used an airbag inflation device to raise the vehicle and free Hayes from under the front right wheel well. Despite their efforts, it was sadly too late, and Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges were filed against Parker.^[3]

7 Physical Fitness Testing

For many students, physical fitness tests are the ultimate schoolyard nemesis—a rite of passage filled with push-ups, sit-ups, and the dreaded mile run. Although these tests are designed to gauge endurance, strength, and overall fitness, they often strike fear into the hearts of even the most athletic students.

However, for one young boy in Singapore, a physical fitness test proved to be much more than just adaunting school activity when it tragically claimed his life.

On May 2, 2024, 14-year-old Lu Xuanzheng was participating in a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) run as part of a physical fitness test at Woodlands Secondary School when he collapsed. Xuanzheng was rushed to the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where he fell into a deep coma. Xuanzheng remained in a coma for 24 days, and on May 25, 2024, doctors declared him brain dead. After losing her husband to liver cancer in 2022, 52-year-old Su Yanfen had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to her youngest son.

While Yanfen claimed there was no family history of heart conditions, it is believed that Xuanzheng experienced cardiac failure due to the intense exercise, leading to arrhythmia and then a coma.

Despite another family tragedy and the grief of Xuanzheng’s death, Yanfen stated that “her son’s greatest dream was to help others.” Therefore, given the hundreds of hospital patients waiting for organ transplants, Yanfen decided the best way to make Xuanzheng’s dream a reality was to donate his organs.^[4]

6 Graduation

On May 5, 2024, 53-year-old Larissa R. Brady, her husband, and their 12-year-old son went to The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio to attend the graduation ceremony. Brady’s daughter was one of the 12,555 Buckeyes set to graduate that day, earning her bachelor’s degree.

As her daughter entered the stadium, Brady told her “that she loved her and would always be her mother.” Little did Brady’s daughter know that this would be the last time she would speak to her mother and that a day meant for celebration would be filled with mourning instead.

From there, Brady proceeded into the stadium with her family to watch the ceremony. Once they were seated, Brady claimed she wanted to move higher in the stadium, but eventually, her family lost sight of her. Brady, however, made her way to the last row of benches, and shortly after the ceremony began, she climbed over the stadium’s concrete wall, falling 136 feet (41 meters) to the pavement below.

Brady, who had a history of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety, was said to have been non-compliant with her medications. At 12:25 p.m., she was pronounced dead by medics who arrived on the scene. Her death was ruled a suicide.

The graduation ceremony carried on as planned following Brady’s death without any mention of what happened. The university later contacted all graduates and staff who volunteered at graduation to offer counseling services.^[5]

5 Field Trip

Field trips play a crucial role in the educational experience, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with the world outside of a traditional classroom setting. These excursions allow for hands-on learning, where students can explore, discover, and connect what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world experiences. While these school trips offer endless opportunities for learning, one field trip in England led to a heartbreaking disaster.

On May 22, 2024, 10-year-old Leah Harrison was taking part in an outdoor education forest walk as part of a school trip at Carlton Adventure in North Yorkshire when a mudslide occurred.

Emergency services flooded the scene, with police paramedics and the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team dispatching 30 volunteers in a desperate attempt to save Harrison. Sadly, the “happy, bubbly little girl” who dreamed of playing soccer for the Lionesses did not survive the tragic incident.

All outdoor activities in the area, which had been under a Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy rain, were temporarily suspended while the North Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive began a joint investigation into the incident.

After hearing the devastating news of Harrison’s death, the Lionesses paid tribute to the young girl on their Instagram page, stating, “To Leah, you will forever be a Lioness.” They also asked their fans to come together in the 10th minute of their game against France on May 31, 2024, in recognition of Harrison’s life and in support of her family.^[6]

4 School Concert

The Monster Concert has been a tradition at Austin High School in Austin, Texas, since 1987. The concert, which is held every October, features the school’s own various orchestras as well as orchestras from various elementary and middle schools in the area. In addition to the Halloween-themed concert, the annual community event and fundraiser also includes games, contests, food and beverages, and a haunted house.

Unfortunately, halfway through the event, on October 21, 2023, a fire started after a gas-powered generator got too close to a propane tank while it was being refueled, causing an accidental flash fire. Three people were hurt and taken to the hospital—Sam Herrera, the husband of orchestra director Ana Solis-Herrera, her son Gabriel, and Paco Guajardo, the father of two orchestra students.

Guajardo was later released from the hospital, and Solis-Herrera’s son, Gabriel, was also expected to make a full recovery. Herrera, however, suffered burns on 60% of his body, and sadly, on November 8, 2023, he died as a result of his injuries.^[]

3 Sports Practice

School sports provide students with a wide range of opportunities- physical exercise, personal growth, and learning the value of teamwork. However, beyond the physical benefits, these athletic programs also provide a sense of community and belonging among students, which also becomes an integral part of their identities. The thrill of competition and the camaraderie with their teammates often defines a student’s high school experience.

Sadly, the promising future of one high school baseball player in Gainesville, Georgia, was cut short due to a devastating accident during practice.

On November 20, 2023, Jeremy Medina, a senior at Gainesville High School who played both pitcher and catcher on the school’s baseball team, was attending a routine practice session at the school’s on-campus batting cages. However, as another player followed through on his swing, Medina leaned into the net and was struck in the head by a baseball bat.

Medina lost consciousness and was rushed to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage involving the left temporal lobe, a depressed skull fracture, and other trauma-related injuries. Medina remained in a coma, and on December 6, 2023, he was declared brain dead. Medina was later taken off life support and was pronounced dead on December 11, 2023.

Medina’s parents, David and Yasmira, went on to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the school system and the coaches, seeking a sum of $722,208 and a jury trial for the school officials’ negligence.

The lawsuit, which names the high school principal, assistant principal, athletic director, and multiple baseball coaches, stated that the baseball season did not officially start until January 15, 2024, but the coaches decided to call a mandatory practice. Medina’s parents described the practice as “illegal,” arguing that it violated the Georgia High School Association’s code.

Medina’s parents also claimed that no adults or school employees were present during the practice, leading to a slow response. The filing alleges that it took three minutes for an adult to arrive at the batting cages after the accident, seven minutes to call 911, and over seven minutes for the school’s athletic trainer to begin CPR. The lawsuit also claims that the athletic trainer did not have keys to access the AED, which was located in the school’s softball concession stand.^[8]

2 Back to School

Each new school year brings with it a sense of excitement and anticipation for both teachers and students alike. Teachers spend countless hours preparing their classrooms, ensuring every detail is perfect to welcome their new students. However, behind the scenes of such meticulous work lies the story of a devoted teacher whose preparations for the new school year took a tragic turn.

On September 1, 2026, 41-year-old Lynsey Haycock, a “much-loved” science and health teacher at Valley Forge High School in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, was putting up a display in her classroom in preparation for the return of her students when she fell and broke her leg. Haycock was taken to the hospital but sadly died on September 2, 2026, as a result of medical complications.^[9]

1 P.E. Class

Physical education is a cherished part of the school day for many students, offering a chance to engage in physical activity and enjoy a break from academic pressures. For those passionate about sports and fitness, P.E. class is often one of the best parts of the school day.

However, for some students, particularly those who are not as confident in their athletic abilities, P.E. can be a much more daunting and less enjoyable part of the day, filled with challenges and anxieties that overshadow the fun of physical activity. Tragically, a P.E. class that was a routine part of the school day became the setting for a gruesome freak accident.

On April 27, 2023, 16-year-old Brayden Bahme, a sophomore at Cheney High School in Cheney, Washington, was running during his 4th-period P.E. class when he fell into a goal post and was impaled through the eye.

First responders arrived at the school within one minute, and Bahme was transported to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital but later died from his injuries.^[10]

As the global COVID-19 pandemic escalates, a growing number of people across the world are in various stages of lockdown, as countries take extreme measures to control the spread of the deadly virus. In fact to date it is estimated that approximately one third of the world’s population are currently in enforced isolation.

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Being confined to home for weeks on end, with limited outside activity permitted has inevitably led to a boredom, as people across the world try to fill in their time in isolation. In most European cities, citizens are confined to their own small apartments within massive apartment blocks, without the opportunity to head out into the back yard which will be enjoyed by Australians and New Zealanders.

This enforced isolation has highlighted how much we all need the daily social interaction with our friends and neighbors.

Despite the gravity of the situation, humor in times of adversity has helped us to cope with these unprecedented restrictions to our daily lives. This has prompted the #Stayathome challenge across social media, both to ease our own boredom and to amuse others looking to the internet for entertainment. Hilarious memes and videos are circling the internet, providing us with some light hearted relief to the crisis.

A number of communities have come up with ingenious ideas to remain connected in isolation, while others have made some quite hilarious attempts to get around restrictions. Many have determined not to let cancelled travel plans to thwart their opportunity to simply have a fun time.

10 Balcony bingo

Residents in a housing estate in Ringsend, Dublin recently vied for prizes of Easter eggs and toilet paper in rounds of “Balcony Bingo”.

Resident Michael Larkin decided to ease the boredom of isolation. Kitted out in a protective boiler suit, Larkin handed out cards to residents, who then returned to their balconies to observe the strict 2 meter social distancing rules.

It was then “eyes down” as the numbers were called through a PA system. Larkin was amazed at the response his ingenious entertainment received on social media, with other nearby estates adopting the idea to amuse their elderly residents.

Meanwhile, in Shebyville, Kentucky, staff have ensured that the 1500 residents of their Masonic retirement village can still get their bingo fix.

Residents can be seen lined up with tables along a long corridor, marking off their bingo cards as their numbers are called from a nurses station at the end of the hall.^[1]

9 Rooftop aerobics

A Spanish fitness instructor went to new heights to raise both morale and fitness levels of his neighbors in isolation. Trainer Gonzalo used the lockdown as a great opportunity to promote health and fitness during their two weeks indoors.

Getting around the strict lockdown measures in Seville Spain, the trainer took to a courtyard rooftop with a PA system, encouraging the surrounding residents to move to the upbeat music.
Neighbors from surrounding apartment blocks flocked to their balconies to move their way through an aerobic workout of squats, star-jumps and crunches as a PA thumped out the workout music.
Enthusiastic residents take to their balconies in their workout gear each morning to get their daily gym-fix from the safety of isolation.^[2]

8 Barking mad

Lockdown and isolation is sending many people barking mad. A 30 minute walk with the dog once a day provides a much need breath of fresh air for many residents in lockdown across the globe.

A man in Palencia, Spain thought of a fur-brained scheme to take advantage of the dog-walking clause. Putting a leash around a fluffy toy, he proceeded to head out for a walk with his inanimate canine friend. His plans however were quickly stuffed, when passing police officers brought a halt to his stunt. The Spaniard received a hefty fine for his dogged attempt to breach isolation orders.^[3]

7 Toulouse balcony run

Sports around the world have ground to a standstill. Organised sporting matches and even the Tokyo Olympic Games have been placed on hold, with many athletes trying to find ways to maintain their fitness levels and continue training in isolation.

A French runner was not prepared to let his training for two major marathons to go to waste. The Toulouse man instead managed to run a full marathon from his tiny balcony.
Despite the cancellation of both the Barcelona and Paris marathons, the 32 year old determinedly finished his runs, doing laps of his 7 meter balcony. The 26.2 mile run took him just 6 hours and 48 minutes to complete.^[4]

6 T-rextreme measures

Spanish police were astounded to find a dinosaur on the loose, flouting strict isolation rules under their current lockdown. Many residents take advantage of the opportunity to take “Rex” for a brief walk, but it seems “T-Rex” doesn’t cut it with local authorities.

The Murcia resident was found dressed in a full, inflatable Tyrannosaurus Rex costume as he took a stroll outside. It’s unclear whether the bizarre costume would protect him against COVID-19, but it certainly did not protect him from the wrath of local authorities. Police reminded residents that while they may be allowed to briefly walk their pets, “dinosaurs don’t count.”
Set to the “Jurassic Park” theme music, a video of the bizarre encounter has gone viral on social media.^[5]

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5 Balcony concerts

Balcony singing was one of the first isolation stories to appear on social media, as bored Italians tried to connect with friends and neighbors. From instrumental concerts, with piano, sax and violin joining from nearby windows, to full neighborhood sing-a-longs, the phenomenon has grown across the world to help raise the spirits of those in isolation. Voices echoing across deserted courtyards have helped us to unite in song. Professional singers entertain the neighborhood on a daily basis, while other neighbors get together for impromptu percussion sessions.
In Boston Massechusetts, singer Mike DiCarlo took to his balcony with a corona-inspired parody of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”.

Nearby residents quickly joined in, on the “hands not touching hands” version of the famous song. The one-off concert has grown into a nightly rendition each night, with requests taken via social media. The most popular requests of the day can be heard at 6pm each evening.^[6]

4 Disney at home

So many of us have had to cancel eagerly anticipated vacations as airlines and tourist attractions around the world have shut down in response to COVID-19. Disneyland was one of the first major attractions forced to close their doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

One US family forced to cancel their Disney vacation cleverly applied a “Pirates of the Carribean” theme to their enforced “staycation”.

With clever props, the family dressed up as their favorite pirates, sharing their unique virtual Disney experience with Twitter followers. Complete with funny pirate accents and their role plays of visiting their favorite attractions, the family have inspired many other house-bound parents to get more creative with their lockdown activities.^[7]

3 Balcony tennis, Madrid

Organised sports may be banned for the foreseeable future, with sports enthusiasts finding unique ways to enjoy a little physical activity in isolation. One impromptu sports event was a hit with bored Spaniards as two Madrid men had the internet cheering with their twitter-vised tennis match.

The match saw the players rallying the ball between their apartment windows, before calling “out” as the ball dropped to the ground.

Im sure there was no window of opportunity to challenge the umpire’s ruling during this match, let alone the convenience of having a ballboy retrieve the ball after your missed shot.^[8]

2 Televised cruise

Cruising around exotic destinations has become an increasingly popular vacation option. However with cruise-related corona outbreaks prevalent around the globe, many travelers have chosen not to take the risk and most cruises have been cancelled until further notice.

The cancellation of their Pacific Island cruise was no setback to an Australian Couple. With the help of You-Tube videos, the couple donned their cruise attire, putting their feet up in the comfort of their living room. Sipping cocktails, they enjoyed a televised cruise on the TV screen.

The virtual vacation certainly helped to bouy their spirits during isolation.^[9]

1 Virtual Zoo

As parents face the challenging task of home-schooling children in isolation, many zoos have been live streaming their animal sanctuaries to allow the animals to provide some much-needed entertainment. #AnimalsAtHome allows children to visit the tigers, bears, dolphins and otters in the many zoos and aquariums which have been closed due to COVID-19, providing hours of educational entertainment.

Edinburgh Zoo was one of the first to provide this sanity-saving service. It allowed frazzled parents to safely send the kids for a day at the zoo as they came to terms with their new home-schooling schedules.

At Australia’s Melbourne zoo, however the antics in the giraffe enclosure were overshadowed by an hilarious impromptu dance performance by the zookeeper. The fan-waving antics of the Victorian zoo-diva became a hit across social media as he sashayed and twirled around the feed enclosure. The giraffes seemed quite unfazed by their keeper’s bizarre antics.^[10]

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No matter whether you are a stay-at-home parent or a full-time employee, it can be difficult to find that perfect work-life balance. Aside from “work,” common day-to-day tasks such as household chores, yard work, caring for pets, managing finances, and taking care of ourselves can quickly become overwhelming.

While they may seem tedious and mundane, these everyday tasks keep our homes, vehicles, and bodies in good working order. However, often, these errands become so commonplace that we typically perceive them to be far more dreadful than dangerous.

However, these stories prove that all it takes is a split second for either a mistake or a bizarre external factor to completely change the trajectory of our lives, even while doing something as simple as taking the dog for a walk, mowing the grass, or making a routine trip to the dentist.

Here are the stories of ten common activities and tasks that quickly turned into tragic freak accidents.

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10 Walking the Dog

Around 5 am on August 16, 2023, 34-year-old Madeline Kelly of Mendota, California, took her boyfriend’s dog out for a walk.

Unfortunately, there had been a small fire in the area on August 14. While the fire department extinguished the vegetation fire, the power company—Pacific Gas and Electric—was not alerted as the power lines did not appear to be affected by the fire. However, the fire had indeed weakened the power pole, and sometime between the Monday night fire and Kelly’s Wednesday morning walk, the line fell.

Without the aid of sunlight during Kelly’s early morning walk, she was unable to see the hazard and stepped on the live wires. Sadly, both Kelly and the dog were electrocuted. Kelly’s boyfriend later discovered the pair’s bodies.

Emergency responders attempted to revive Kelly, but after unsuccessful attempts, first responders pronounced both she and the dog dead.

A spokesperson for Pacific Gas and Electric later issued a statement that read, “We are working with first responders to investigate the circumstances of the tragic accident in Mendota this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been impacted.” An investigation is ongoing.^[1]

9 Mowing the Grass

Sixty-four-year-old Peggy Jones and her husband, 66-year-old Wendell, planned to end the day of July 25, 2023, by mowing the lawn of their investment property in Silsbee, Texas, and then heading off to the casino together.

Given that the yard work was typically a three-hour job, Wendell got to work in the front of the property while Peggy set out on a riding mower in the back of the property. Then, “all of a sudden, out of the clear blue sky, a snake fell… and landed on Peggy’s arm.”

The four-foot (1.2-meter) snake clutched onto Peggy’s right arm and wouldn’t let go. The snake then began striking at her face, but thankfully, its venom landed on Peggy’s glasses rather than in her eyes. However, the more Peggy attempted to thrust her arm, the tighter the snake’s grip became. As if this situation wasn’t bad enough, Peggy had to continue to maintain control of the tractor, all while desperately screaming for help. Unfortunately, the sound of both tractors, along with traffic from the nearby highway, made it impossible for Wendell to hear her cries.

Just then, a brown and white hawk swooped down, creating a “tug-of-war of nature” as the hawk tried to grab the snake, who still refused to let go of Peggy’s arm. Despite the failed attempt at capturing the serpent, the hawk refused to give up on its prey. After swooping in four more times, the snake was finally released from Peggy’s arm, and the hawk flew away with it.

Thankfully, Peggy was eventually able to get her husband’s attention, but by this time, her arm was covered in blood, claw marks, lacerations, and punctures. Wendell rushed Peggy to the emergency room, where she was given antibiotics, her wounds were cleaned and bandaged, and her condition was stabilized.

The incident not only left Peggy with nightmares but also with the inability to use her arm. Fortunately, Wendell, along with the couple’s children and grandchildren, assisted Peggy with daily tasks and took extra precautions to keep her wounds wrapped and free from infection.^[2]

8 Running on the Treadmill

On July 21, 2023, 36-year-old Delrie Rosario and her sister, Marissa Woods, went to a local LA Fitness Center in Kent, Washington, to run on the treadmill, something the sisters did nearly every day. Unfortunately, their typical exercise routine turned into a “bizarre accident.”

As Rosario attempted to slow the treadmill down, she stumbled and hit her head on the front of the machine, causing her to fall off and lose consciousness.

Woods stated she then began screaming for help in hopes of gaining the attention of someone who knew how to perform CPR. While other gym-goers came to her aid, Woods claimed none of the gym staff tried to assist her.

Rosario was rushed to a nearby hospital but, sadly, never regained consciousness.

Amid the family’s grief, they found peace in knowing that Rosario, who was known for having “the biggest heart,” would go on to save the lives of others. Her heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver were transplanted in order to save the lives of five people on organ donor waiting lists.^[3]

7 Going to the ATM

Sixty-three-year-old Michael Diaczyszyn of Glenarm, North Ireland, was described as a “fun-loving big man with a good soul” who “saw the bright side of everything.” Unfortunately, his life was taken due to a freak accident at an ATM machine.

On February 22, 2017, Diaczyszyn went to withdraw money from a cash machine in Larne, North Ireland. However, while attempting to complete the transaction, a runaway empty Vauxhall Vivaro van rolled back down the street and hit him.

Diaczyszyn was taken to a local hospital for a broken leg but sadly died the following morning due to complications from surgery.^[4]

6 Getting a Tooth Filled

On March 18, 2022, 60-year-old Tom Jozsi of Antioch, Illinois, went to the dentist’s office for a routine procedure. However, what should have been a normal trip to the dentist ended with a trip to the hospital and the need for intensive surgery.

As Jozsi was getting his tooth filled, he “felt a cough” coming on. Jozsi was then told that he had swallowed one of the dentist’s tools—a one-inch (2.5-cm) long drill bit.

Jozsi went to a local hospital, but X-rays were unable to show the location of the drill bit. A CT scan later revealed that the drill bit was located really far down on the right lower lobe of Jozsi’s lung rather than in his stomach. In light of this, doctors believed that prior to Jozsi’s coughing, he also inhaled, which caused the drill bit to go into his lungs.

Jozsi was transferred to a hospital in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but unfortunately, the drill bit was so deep in his lung that traditional scopes could not reach it. Jozsi was advised that part of his lung may have to be removed if the drill bit could not successfully be taken out.

Thankfully, Dr. Abdul Alraiyes and Dr. Hasnain Bawaadam were able to utilize robotic bronchoscopy—a procedure that uses a smaller and more flexible scope that can get into lung airways and detect lung cancer at its earliest stage. The doctors used this to navigate the narrow airways and reach the drill piece without damaging Jozsi’s lung.

Fortunately, the 90-minute procedure went “exactly as planned,” and Jozsi was able to go home the same day. Jozsi said the drill bit is now proudly displayed on a shelf at home.^[5]

5 Changing a Flat Tire

William Jason Lamont Bell Sr. of Chicago, Illinois, and his family were on a road trip to Kentucky. However, late in the morning of August 15, 2023, the vehicle they were traveling in got a flat tire along the interstate in Northwest Indiana.

When Bell Sr. left the vehicle to change the tire, his 15-year-old son, William Jason Lamont Bell Jr., followed and insisted on helping his father. Unfortunately, while the two were fixing the flat, a semi-truck traveling in the same direction experienced a mechanical failure. As it passed by, one of its rear wheels dislodged from the truck.

The loose wheel, with its tire still attached, rolled along the barrier wall before striking Bell Jr. and the four other individuals who were outside of the parked vehicle.

Police were dispatched to the scene, and Bell Jr. was quickly rushed to a local hospital. However, once his injuries were deemed life-threatening, Bell Jr. was transferred to a hospital in Chicago. Bell was placed on life support but died on August 18, 2023. The other four individuals received non-life-threatening injuries.

The semi-truck driver was sent to a local hospital for a mandatory toxicology test. Although drugs and alcohol were not believed to be a factor in the accident, the semi-trailer was impounded for inspection by state police.^[6]

4 Doing Laundry

On the evening of September 21, 2008, 29-year-old Carl Thomas of Dixie County, Florida, went to do his laundry in an unattached shed near the home where he lived. However, when Thomas did not return to the house, witnesses said they went to look for him.

Unfortunately, they found Thomas on the floor next to a clothes dryer. Witnesses performed CPR until first responders arrived. Thomas was then transported to the Old Town Helipad but, sadly, pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

An investigation into the electrical wiring of the shed revealed that the electrical system did not meet current standards. Therefore, when the dryer was plugged in, it would have become energized and had the potential to shock anyone who touched it.

An autopsy later revealed Thomas’ cause of death as “positional asphyxiation with the contributing cause of electrocution.” It was believed that in attempting to plug in the dryer, Thomas was shocked and then fell between the appliances, causing him to be unable to breathe.^[7]

3 Going Through the Drive Thru

In the early morning hours of September 8, 2021, a man, later identified as 42-year-old Anthony “Tony” Eyles, stopped to get breakfast from a local McDonald’s in Vancouver, Canada.

Eyles went to pay for his meal at 5:30 am but dropped his bank card onto the ground. Eyles then opened the car door to pick up the card, but unfortunately, “the vehicle rolled forward, colliding into a structural piece of the restaurant.” Eyles became pinned between the vehicle door and frame and was unable to free himself.

First responders arrived at the McDonald’s location and attempted to revive Eyles, but sadly, he died at the scene.^[8]

2 Taking Out the Trash

In May of 2012, 66-year-old John Fozard of Anglesey, Wales, was emptying a garbage can in his house. However, as he was throwing the trash away, pieces of a broken wine glass tore through the bag and cut him, leaving a 1.5-inch (4-cm) wound on his thigh, just above the knee. Unfortunately, the glass severed his femoral artery—the main blood vessel supplying blood to the lower body.

Fozard attempted to stop the bleeding but later collapsed in his bathroom due to the loss of blood.

Fozard’s next-door neighbors, Gwyndaf Rowlands and his wife, became worried after hearing the sound of running water for hours but never seeing Fozard. It was then that Rowlands looked through a kitchen window and saw blood, so he contacted the police.

Paramedics arrived on the scene and broke into Fozard’s house in an attempt to provide medical care, but sadly, it was too late. Fozard bled to death.^[9]

1 Putting Gas in Vehicle

On December 22, 2021, 46-year-old Sheryll Grace “Shoi” Delfin Caballes was pumping gasoline at a Circle K station in Palm Harbor, Florida. As Caballes proceeded to put gas into her 2018 Honda SUV, a 66-year-old woman backed her 2006 Nissan sedan into a gas pump.

The impact knocked the fuel dispenser from its base, causing the gas pump to overturn on Caballes. Caballes became pinned between the pump and her SUV, which then caught fire.

Two of Caballes’s children (ages 11 and 14), who were in the car at the time, were able to get out and attempted to save their mother. Thirty-four-year-old Jared Pierson, a homeless Good Samaritan, also attempted to help by using the fire extinguisher beside the pumps and getting the children to safety. Unfortunately, the flames were too much, and Caballes burned to death.

In August of 2022, the Caballes family went on to file a lawsuit against 13 defendants, which included Circle K Stores, Inc. and Shell Oil Company, since the device designated to stop fuel flow if a gas pump is damaged or struck by a vehicle was not working, and additionally because the Circle K employee failed to trigger the emergency stop switch.^[10]

Autumn—the season often welcomed with open arms, especially if you live in a region with sweltering summers. The cool weather, along with the changing color of leaves, makes this time of year perfect for enjoying many outdoor festivals and activities with family and friends.

Not only is it a time to celebrate cooler temperatures and beautiful landscapes, but it is also a time to celebrate plentiful crop harvests and various holidays. While many people typically associate the autumn season with Halloween and Thanksgiving, many other days are celebrated during this time of year, such as Yom Kippur, Eid al-Adha, Dia de los Muertos, and Diwali.

This list contains 10 popular autumn activities and events that took a tragic turn for those involved.

10 Pumpkin Patch

JK’s Pumpkin Patch in Lincoln, Nebraska, unveiled a new attraction in 2018- a giant bounce pad that looked like a jack-o-lantern. Unfortunately, a gust of wind turned the would-be crowd-pleaser into a death trap for a local toddler.

On October 3, 2018, two-year-old Caleb Acuna, his five-year-old sister, Arra, and his parents attended a private event at the pumpkin patch and were enjoying time together on the jumper. However, just moments after Acuna’s parents climbed off the inflatable, a huge gust of wind hit and hurled Arra 30 feet (9 meters) in the air. Acuna became trapped inside the bounce pad as it folded over and carried him more than 100 feet (30 meters) away.

Arra suffered a broken arm, but Acuna suffered severe head trauma due to the incident. He was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries but pronounced dead on October 4, 2018, and taken off life support on October 5, 2018.

It was later discovered that although a wind advisory was issued on the day of the event, JK’s Pumpkin Patch used only a minimal number of stakes to secure the attraction. Acuna’s father went on to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the pumpkin patch and the event sponsor.^[1]

9 Corn Maze

The Incredible Corn Maze in Hauser, Idaho, was not your typical corn maze, offering its patrons a zombie-apocalypse experience. In this particular corn maze, visitors would ride through the corn maze on a modified school bus called the Zombie Slayer Paintball Bus.

Eighteen-year-old Jeremy McSpadden Jr was one of the “zombies,” and his job was to pop out of the corn maze, scare the visitors, and attack the bus as they rode inside. The visitors could then fight back and shoot the zombies with paintball guns. Unfortunately, on October 10, 2014, McSpadden lost his life in what was only supposed to be a role-playing event.

McSpadden was in zombie mode, but as he moved out of the corn maze to attack the bus, he tripped, fell, and was run over by the rear tires. He was killed instantly. More saddening, given the premise of the ride, those on the bus assumed this was all part of the experience. It wasn’t until the other role-playing zombies began to prepare for the next busload of visitors that they realized what had happened.

The Incredible Corn Maze was fined $14,000 by the state of Idaho. Their penalty was later reduced to $6,000 when they agreed to cease operations indefinitely.^[2]

8 Harvest Festival

The Deerfield Township Harvest Festival in Deerfield, New Jersey, had been an annual event spanning over 40 years. Consisting of carnival rides, music, food, and local vendors, the event drew in families year after year.

However, on October 12, 2019, the event turned deadly when 10-year-old Hailey McMullen was ejected from the “Super Sizzler ” ride during the festival. McMullen was airlifted to a local hospital but pronounced dead an hour later.

An investigation was opened into the circumstances surrounding McMullen’s death, and her parents went on to file a lawsuit against the ride manufacturer and operators. The Deerfield Recreation Committee has also canceled the festival in the following years.^[3]

7 Hayride

On October 30, 2021, seven-year-old Donovan Brashear of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was enjoying the Quail Meadows Homes Associations’ annual Halloween celebration. One adventure included going on a hayride. Unfortunately, what should have been a night filled with fun quickly took a tragic turn.

Just before 8:00 pm that evening, the young boy fell off the trailer he was riding on. While he desperately tried to hold on, he was later run over by the trailer. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries but died that evening.^[4]

6 Haunted House

On September 16, 2017, 21-year-old Cheung Chiu-kit was visiting the Ocean Park theme park in Hong Kong, Japan. As part of the park’s annual Halloween fest, they were promoting a haunted house attraction called “Buried Alive.” On this particular ride, visitors would be put inside a “coffin-turned-slide,” which promised an odd experience—being buried alive all alone and having to fight your way out of the grave. Unfortunately for Chiu-kit, the premise of the ride became a tragic reality.

Chui-kit had completed his coffin ride and approached what he thought was an exit. However, little did he realize he had entered the rear of another slide area. While several staff members stated that they tried to “scare him in the right direction,” Chiu-kit paid them no attention/ This led the staff to believe Chiu-kit too was a staff member, and they let him continue on his way.

As he stood in the rear area behind the slides, Chiu-kit was hit by a falling coffin and knocked unconscious. Due to the back injury he sustained from the falling coffin, he then became trapped underneath, unable to breathe, and suffocated. ^[5]

5 Raking Leaves

On November 30. 2016, 74-year-old Carl Humphrey was raking leaves in his front yard when he was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver. Humphrey was transported to a local hospital but later pronounced dead.

Local police were able to use evidence left at the scene to identify the driver—21-year-old Kenise Joseph—who lived a few blocks from Humphrey. Joseph initially claimed she thought she hit a mailbox. However, when she realized she may have indeed hit a person, she decided to return to the scene. When she was told by police and emergency responders that they were looking for a suspect, she became frightened and again left the scene in fear of being arrested.

Joseph was later arrested and pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident but was ordered to serve 15 months of home incarceration versus jail time.^[6]

4 Trunk-or-Treat

Eleven-year-old Noah Chambers was participating in a trunk-or-treat event on November 1, 2019, at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, North Carolina. Unfortunately, when Chambers attempted to cross the road from one parking lot to another, he was hit by an SUV.

Chambers suffered head trauma, kidney damage, and a fractured pelvis and was transported to a local children’s hospital, where he was placed on life support. Chambers was later pronounced brain dead and passed away on November 3, 2019.

The driver of the SUV remained on the scene and cooperated with police both during and after the accident. No charges were filed against the driver.^[7]

3 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time when we gather with family and friends, not only to share a meal but to reflect on what we’re most thankful for. Sadly, for one man in Pennsylvania, his life was unexpectedly taken during this holiday.

On November 25, 2021, 25-year-old Edilberto Miguel Palaez Moctezuma was enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with his family in Norristown, Pennsylvania, when a stray bullet came through the window and struck him in the torso. Unfortunately, by the time police arrived on the scene, Moctezuma was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the hospital.

It was later discovered that 19-year-old Kevon Clarke was the one responsible for Moctezuma’s death. Clarke and his girlfriend had been at a Thanksgiving gathering but were asked to leave. After they left, it was also discovered that some alcohol had gone missing. The girlfriend’s cousin later contacted the couple, and they agreed to return the alcohol. However, when she went to Clarke’s residence to pick up the “missing alcohol,” Clarke came outside with a gun and began firing in the air. One of the shots then entered Moctezuma’s home.

Clark tried to evade capture but was later found and arrested on December 13, 2021. He was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, a various other gun-related charges.^[8]

2 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios

Twenty-year-old Paul Rebalde was an employee of Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California. On October 31, 1986, Rebalde volunteered to work on a tram tour that was part of the park’s Halloween Horror Nights event. This special nighttime event features haunted houses, scare events, and live shows throughout the park in correlation with Halloween.

The parked tram was filled with mannequins dressed as corpses, and Rebalde’s job was to hide among the mannequins, then jump out to scare passengers on passing trams. However, as Rebalde jumped out, he somehow became trapped between the third and fourth sections of the tram. He was run over and dragged approximately 100 feet (30 meters )by the moving tram. He was pronounced dead at the scene.^[9]

1 Oktoberfest

On September 27, 2013, a 23-year-old Australian man known as Ben M. was attending Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. However, as he was celebrating in the Hofbrau beer tent, a 30-year-old American woman named Tesia D. put her elbow in one of his friend’s faces. From there, a fight ensued between the two.

During the brawl, Tesia bit down on Ben’s lower lip and refused to let go. As Ben tried to break away, Tesia turned her head and tore 1.2 inches (3 centimeters) of his lip off. Doctors attempted to re-attach Ben’s lip, but the procedure was unsuccessful.

Tesia was given a suspended sentence of one year and 9 months in prison. She also paid Ben $15,000 (€11,000) in compensation for his injuries.^[10]