Boy, 9, falls to his death after balcony railing breaks
Two boys, believed to be cousins, were standing on a townhome balcony when the railing gave way, leaving one dead and the other injured after the fall.
The heartbreaking accident took place on Brighton Avenue in Perth Amboy, New Jersey around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office confirmed.
The children reportedly fell at least 12 feet, and the 9-year-old boy sadly died shortly after.
The 13-year-old boy was transported to the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital following the incident and said to be in stable condition.
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Two boys, believed to be cousins, were standing on a townhome balcony when the railing gave way, leaving one dead and the other injured after the fall
The heartbreaking accident took place on Brighton Avenue in Perth Amboy, New Jersey around 5:30 p.m. Thursday
Perth Amboy Police chief Roman Mckeon told PIX11 the children were under watch by adults, but they were inside the home at the time of the sudden tragedy.
'They weren't on the porch, they were inside. But it looks like a tragic accident,' Mckeon said in the interview.
Neighbors said they witnessed despairing family members of the boy lost for words as they stood outside in shock.
The children reportedly fell at least 12 feet, and the 9-year-old boy sadly died shortly after
Neighbors said they witnessed despairing family members of the boy lost for words as they stood outside in shock
One of them could be heard saying 'I lost him' in Spanish when they returned back home that evening, according to News 4.
'You could hear people crying inside ... It's heartbreaking,' neighbor Michael Torres told PIX11 late Thursday.
Officials are currently investigating other balcony decks on the building as well as the landlord - though criminality was not suspected.
The 9-year-old boy attended Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School in Perth Amboy.
Officials at the school have requested grief counselors be available for students Friday.