Nevada mourns loss of boy, 8, in farm accident

NEVADA, MO (KCTV5) -

A vigil was held Monday night for a second-grader who drowned in a pond on his family’s farm this weekend.

http://www.kctv5.com/story/28244472/nevada-mourns-loss-of-boy-8-in-farm-accident?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=11192606

Counselors are on hand this week at Benton Elementary School in the Nevada School District to help Jack Spangler’s classmates cope with the tragedy.

Jack and two of his buddies went outside Saturday morning. They crashed through the pond’s inch-thick ice.

One boy managed to crawl to safety while one of Jack’s relatives rescued a second classmate. Both will be OK physically. But it took members of the county’s water rescue team about 90 minutes to pull Jack from the frigid waters, and he was pronounced dead at Nevada’s hospital.

A GoFundMe.com page has been set up to help Jack’s grieving family. Click here to donate. 

“Jack was full of laughter and love, and lived life to the fullest. He was involved in many activities such as church, hunting, fishing, football, basketball, baseball and 4H to name a few,” the page says.

Many tears were shed Monday night at the vigil held by the 4H Club.

Parents said they are telling their children to rely on their faith to get them through this difficult time.

“To my son, I just asked him to pray for the families and just keep Jack here,” Michael Serna said while pointing to his heart. “Just remember him.”

Nevada Fire Capt. Kevin Scott was one of those who fought desperately to save the 8-year-old boy.

“It takes its toll especially when you have children. You want to go home and hug your children and tell them you love them,” Scott said.

He said he hopes parents remind their children about the dangers of ice and playing near the water.

“Let your kids know, even the older kids know, to stay off the ice,” he said.

Linda Dungan said the entire community is rallying behind Jack’s parents, Chad and Jill Spangler, and his siblings, Simone and Vivi.

“The little boy was a very sweet, adorable child,” she said. “The whole community sends their sympathy to the family.”

Scott agreed. “The family is the ones who need the thoughts and prayers right now.”

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Nevada mourns loss of boy, 8, in farm accident