Boy dies after dad accidentally backs car into him on Thanksgiving

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) – A 5-year-old boy was killed in New York on Thanksgiving Day in a tragic accident.

Police say the boy’s father accidentally backed into him in the driveway of a home in the town of Hamburg, near Buffalo. 

The child was rushed to Oishei Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. 

Police say there’s no indication that drugs or alcohol played any role in the accident. 

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those involved as well as to the first responders who assisted in this horrific accident,” Hamburg Police said in a statement. 

The investigation is ongoing and the Hamburg Police Department is being assisted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Department Accident Investigation Unit. 

The family of the boy on Saturday confirmed the boy’s name as James Walsh. 

His parents have also released the following statement: 

“We are blessed that we have an all-consuming and powerful Lord who has given us our faith. We could not do this without Him.  Our community has been so uplifting to us. We are so grateful.  James was born on Christmas morning and he LOVES Jesus. So we know he is with Him.”

Funeral arrangements have been made for James. 

According to a Facebook post by Loomis, Offers & Loomis funeral home, the family will receive friends on Monday from 4pm to 8pm at the Watermark Wesleyan Church at McKinley.

Funeral services will also be held there on Tuesday at 11 am, according to Loomis, Offers & Loomis. 

Flowers are gratefully declined, the funeral home said in the post. 

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