Mayor, hometown remembers boy killed by falling tree during field trip

NORTHVILLE, Mich. (WILX) – It's a sad update to a story we first brought to you on the News 10 app.

According to Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy, 12-year-old Declan Carter of Northville was on an overnight camping trip with his classmates at Howell Nature Center.

He was flown to CS Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and was initially in critical condition. He died on Thursday evening.

Sheriff Murphy said chaperones were teaching students how to start a fire when they heard a loud crack. The group ran, but Declan couldn't escape before a tree fell and hit him in the head.

“Declan, I know it very well,” said Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull. “I see him once or twice a day in the summer when I drive past his house. Just an energetic, athletic, very intelligent, lively child.”

Read more – Mayor of Northville: “We mourn Declan Carter”

Turnbull mourned the loss of one of their own and said he worked closely with Declan's father, councilor John Carter. He said that all the flags in the city were at half-staff for Declan.

“We're just shocked because we had our Victorian Festival a week ago and this family really embodies what Northville is,” Mayor Turnbull added. “They were all dressed in Victorian clothes, walking around and a week later here we are talking about what happened.”

The Northville community prayed and held vigils while Declan was flown to the hospital.

“It was a difficult situation because we are a close-knit community.” Turnbull said, “Our city, both the elected officials and the staff, when one hurts, we all hurt.”

News 10 reached out to Howell Nature Center for comment on this incident and its plans to ensure it doesn't happen again. At the time of this publication we have not received a response.

Tina Bruce, CEO of Howell Nature Center, issued a statement saying the center would be closed Friday to allow staff to come together and process the tragic event.

Bruce said their thoughts and prayers are with the child, his family, his classmates and the staff during this difficult time.

Kate Szuba, principal of Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, and Emily Wesley, assistant principal, said Declan was a sixth-grader at the school.

Szuba and Wesley said classes were canceled Friday but the building remained open “to provide counseling and community to any student who needs it.”

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