A 6-year-old boy died from a lighting strike just weeks after his father was killed during the same incident in central Texas.
Grayson Boggs died Friday after being hit by the lighting bolt while walking in the driveway with his father, identified by family as Matthew Boggs, 34. According to the father’s obituary, Grayson was holding his father’s hand while struck in Valley Mills, Texas, about 20 miles northwest of Waco.
According to a Facebook post by Bosque County Sheriff Trace Hendricks, officers responded on May 15 to the scene and located the father and his 6-year-old son unresponsive. Grayson’s father died as a result of his injuries, the sheriff said.
Grayson was found “unresponsive, but breathing” and was taken to a local hospital.
“Our prayers are with the family as they mourn,” Hendricks wrote.
Formerly of Indianapolis, Matthew Grayson died while walking his son home from the bus stop, according to his obituary. His son was also struck by lightning at the same time “while holding his father’s hand.”
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Taken off a ventilator
According to a fundraising page created by the boy’s cousin, Stephanie Burris, Grayson suffered multiple seizures after being struck and was placed on a ventilator.
In an update on Thursday, Burris wrote Grayson had been taken off the ventilator and was breathing on his own, but died the next day.
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According to his obituary, the “happy carefree little boy” attended Valley Mills Elementary School and graduated kindergarten this year.
“He loved his school and especially his teachers. Grayson attended the Bosque County Cowboy Church and was a huge part of the church and loved his church family unconditionally,” the obituary reads. “Grayson loved to play outside with his wagon and he loved to sing and just be outside.”
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
