Boy dies crushed by home basketball hoop
A teenage boy has died after he was crushed by a basketball hoop in his home.
Nolan Gerwhels, 14, was playing basketball with his little sister inside their home at northern Indiana in the US on Friday when the hoop, rim, backboard and support bracket ripped from the wall and fell on him, ABC 57 reports.
He was transported to hospital but died just hours later, police said.
His devastated mum, Margaret, said in a statement that her son’s passion was basketball and he would spend hours practising.
“Nolan was a one-of-a-kind kid and he made this world a better place,” she said.
“His absence will forever weigh heavily on our hearts. He will always, always be loved.”
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St Joseph County Police Assistant Chief Bill Thompson told the IndyStar on Monday that Nolan’s death was “extremely unusual”.
“So, we’re doing a little bit of investigation in terms of just exactly how the goal and the support bracket for it was anchored to the wall,” he said.
