Michigan Boy Scout, 12, Dies After Being Buried By Sand

SOUTH HAVEN, MI — A 12-year-old Michigan Boy Scout died after getting buried by sand at a camp located north north of Van Buren State Park near Lake Michigan, according to police and news reports.

Police in South Haven said they responded to a 911 call for a child buried in the sand near the water's edge around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday. When authorities arrived on scene, they found scout leaders performing CPR on the boy.

Police say first responders then took over performing CPR on the child until an officer arrived with an AED. A pulse was established before officials transported the boy through dunes, trails and water to a waiting ambulance. He was then taken to a waiting helicopter and flown to a hospital in Kalamazoo.

The Detroit Free Press reported that the boy dug into the side of a sand dune and crawled into the small space that collapsed. According to the paper, two boys who were with the 12-year-old didn't notice he had disappeared for up to 30 minutes.

WMMT reported that the incident happened at North Point County Park in Van Buren County.

Officials say the boy died from injuries at the hospital. The incident remains under investigation but in a press release, South Haven police said it appears to be a tragic accident.

The victim was identified as Gage Wilson, 12, of Portage. Police say autopsy results are pending in the case.

“This is a very difficult time for our Scouting family," Donald Shepard, Scout Executive of the Michigan Crossroads Council, Boy Scouts of America, said in a statement. "We are sad to confirm the death of one of our youth members following an accident at a Scouting event. We offer our deepest condolences to the victim and his family, and we will support them in any way that we can. Please join us in keeping all those affected in your thoughts and prayers.”

Photo by LM Otero/Associated Press