Boy Killed by Falling Statue at Phoenix Hotel

Statue hit child, 8, in the head, though details are not clear
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 4, 2024 3:00 AM CST
Boy Killed by Falling Statue at Phoenix Hotel
Morning golfers at the Arizona Biltmore resort walk off a green Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

An unimaginable story out of Arizona, where an 8-year-old boy died after he was crushed by a falling statue at a Phoenix hotel. The statue, one of the famous "sprites" featured at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, fell on him the day before Thanksgiving, and he died the following day of head injuries. It's not clear what caused the statue to fall, and the exact details of the incident have not been publicized, but Fox 10 Phoenix reports the resort was packed with families visiting for the holiday. The concrete statues, almost six feet tall and weighing hundreds of pounds, are replicas of designs created by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, but they themselves are not historic artifacts, AZ Central reports.

"The news about the passing of the child at the Biltmore is truly heartbreaking," the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, and our heartfelt condolences are with the family during this unimaginably difficult time." Police say no foul play is suspected. The hotel said in a statement that it is "deeply saddened" by the tragedy. "Our top priority is the safety and security of our guests, and our thoughts are with the family impacted by today's events." (More Arizona stories.)

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