Farm accident kills 7-year-old boy in Franklin County

A 7-year-old boy died Tuesday morning after a farm accident near Mercersburg, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The child, whose name was not given in the police report, became trapped in a machine while helping with field work. The incident happened around 10:15 a.m. on a farm in the area of Mercersburg Road and Young Road, south of Welsh Run and west of Bino in Montgomery Township.

According to police, there is no evidence of foul play.

The police report did not specify whether the child was pronounced dead at the scene or at the hospital, and a police spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email asking about that question.

Members of the Mercersburg MMP&W Volunteer Fire Department worked the incident. The department posted a message on Facebook explaining the impact on first responders.

“People sometimes don’t understand the physical and mental toll being a firefighter/EMT/paramedic can take on someone. We do it because we love helping our community and we love saving/protecting lives and property. However, sometimes it comes with a price! We may be tough, but our hearts break!” the Facebook post read.

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The department also thanked members of the Hagerstown (Maryland) Fire Department who met with MMP&W EMS personnel at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown to speak “with them immediately to begin the healing process.”

A person who answered the phone at MMP&W Wednesday morning said the chief had no comment.

You can contact Amber South at [email protected].