A routine midweek visit to one of Hickory’s signature green spaces turned tragic yesterday evening when a 7-year-old boy was pulled from the water at Bruce Meisner Park and later died, despite frantic life-saving efforts by first responders.
Emergency crews tried to resuscitate the child after he was recovered from a body of water connected to the park, but authorities said he did not survive. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division has opened an investigation into what happened.
What Officials Say
According to WCNC Charlotte, deputies recovered the boy from a waterway that connects to Bruce Meisner Park at around 6 p.m., and authorities said he was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s office has not released the child’s name and has said it will share more information when it is available. Investigators remained at the park into the evening, documenting and processing the scene.
Local Accounts And Response
Local outlet WHKY reports that multiple agencies responded at about 6:52 p.m. and recovered the 7-year-old from the water. WHKY also notes the boy was taken to Frye Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Fire, rescue and law enforcement personnel blocked off portions of the park as detectives searched the area and gathered evidence.
Authorities have asked anyone who may have information about the incident or video from the area to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
About Bruce Meisner Park
Bruce Meisner Park is a 73-acre city park along Falling Creek, featuring walking trails, playgrounds, a picnic shelter and a promenade with lake views near the intersection of N.C. 127 and Cloninger Mill Road. The City of Hickory lists it among its larger outdoor recreation sites.
City officials did not immediately announce any closures or safety changes for the park, and staff had not responded to requests for comment.
Investigation And Community Impact
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is leading the probe and has asked anyone with information or footage from the area to contact detectives, as reported by WHKY.
The park had community events on the calendar for this weekend, including an Autism Awareness fun walk listed on RunSignup. Organizers had not yet announced whether those plans will change. We will update this story as officials and event organizers release more details.
