Abel Friday-Williams, North Carolina 7-year-old boy drowns trying to save friend after coming across pond behind waterfall not part of Hickory’s public property upkeep and part of waste water treatment facility.
A 7-year old boy in North Carolina drowned while trying to save his friend after the two boys coming across a pond at the bottom of a small waterfall.
Abel Friday-Williams was found unresponsive at the bottom of the pond near Bruce Meisner Park in Hickory just on 7p.m, Wednesday, April 1.
‘When emergency responders arrived they recovered a 7-year-old male child that was submerged in a body of water that connects to the park,’ the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release. ‘The child was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.’
7-year-old sacrificed own life to save that of friend
The area is described as being slick and rocks filled with slime according to WRAL.
The boy’s aunt, Brianna Sledge, told WSOC-TV that her nephew went into the water to help a friend.
‘It breaks my heart because he saved his friend and lost his [life],’ she told the outlet. ‘He went in behind his friends to save his life and lost his.’
Hickory officials to consider whether changes to the area to be made
The city of Hickory said the drowning did not happen on park property.
The area near the waterfall is part of the city’s Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility pump station. City leaders said Hickory did not build the path leading to the falls, and it is not intended for public use.
The mayor of Hickory said city leaders will look at whether changes need to be made in the area.
Friday-Williams’ family in the aftermath sought to warn others of the hidden dangers of the pond and waterfall where their son drowned.
Friday-Williams is remembered for the ‘joy, laughter, and a spirited energy that will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him,’ according to his obituary.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started to help with funeral and burial expenses.
