12-year-old boy dies after tree falls on him while playing in New Jersey backyard

LAWRENCE TWP., New Jersey -- A 12-year-old boy is dead after a tree fell on him while he was playing with a friend in his backyard, authorities said.

The child was identified by school officials as Lucas Schwartz, a 7th grader at Lawrence Middle School.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:09 p.m. on Monday when officers from the Lawrence Township Police Department in New Jersey responded to the 100 block of Eldridge Avenue in regard to a "report of a tree that had fallen on a 12-year-old male," according to a statement from the Lawrence Township Police Department early Tuesday morning.

"Officers were able to free the juvenile from under the fallen tree and began CPR," police said in their statement. "The victim was transported to Capital Health System - Regional Medical Center by Lawrence Township EMS, where he later succumbed to his injuries."

Investigators subsequently determined that Schwartz was playing with a friend in his backyard when the tree was "blown over by gusty winds, striking the juvenile and causing fatal injuries," according to authorities.

Wind gusts in the region were reportedly over 40 miles per hour, officials said.

The Lawrence Township School District said that they will have grief counselors on hand to assist students and staff in the aftermath of the accident.

"I was heartbroken," said Kateina Eardley, whose son is a 7th grader at Lawrence Middle School. "I wanted to cry. You know that's not supposed to happen, especially at that age."

"We're going to have a sit-down today and talk about it, but my heart really goes out to the family," said Mike West, whose daughter goes to Lawrence Township Middle School.

"In addition, therapy dogs and members of the Mercer County Traumatic Loss Coalition will be on school grounds to provide assistance,"school officials said.

The investigation into the accident is currently ongoing, but for now it's being considered a tragic accident.