Wrangler Hendrix: Boy, 8, dies after getting WEDGED between washer and dryer while playing hide-and-seek
A child lost his life while playing hide-and-seek after becoming trapped between a dryer and a washing machine. The boy, who has been identitied as 8-year-old Wrangler Hendrix, was trapped when the authorities were called to his grandparents' house on Friday, 10 June.
When the event occurred at the house on Murphy Road, just outside of Coolidge, Georgia, the boy was playing with his cousins and other family members. The child, who is originally from Jewett, Texas, was wedged between the appliances while attempting to hide behind them, Captain Tim Watkins of the Thomas County Sheriff's Office told The Sun. According to WCTV, the family found him after searching for him for approximately five to 10 minutes, and they started CPR right away. When emergency services came, CPR was still being done, according to the Sheriff's Office.
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Before he once more lost consciousness, Wrangler momentarily showed signs of being responsive. He was taken to a nearby location and later declared dead. Watkins speculates that the boy may have perished from positional asphyxiation. The boy's body suffered no injuries. No charges have been filed against the family, according to the sheriff's office. On Wednesday, 15 June a formal autopsy will be carried out.
"The Thomas County Sheriff's Office would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Wrangler," Watkins said.
Wrangler, the son of Rhonda White and William Andrew Hendrix, was a second-grade student described as a "sweetheart" by those who knew him.
"My heart breaks for all of you. Praying for peace and comfort for you during these dark days. Wrangler was a sweetheart. So thankful for the time I got to be his bus driver," one person wrote in an online tribute. "He was so well-mannered and took care of his sister. They were so excited about their trip and the beach. We joked about wearing lots of sunscreen as they got off the bus. Rest in heavenly peace, Wrangler."
“How tragic! Praying that the family is able to find some kind of peace during these most unfortunate circumstances,” Kristine Miller said on Facebook. “Breaks my heart, he probably had anxiety which made his breathing harder,” Rhonda Stalvey responded. “Poor family, this had to be devastating since he was only here visiting his grandparents.” “Sincere Condolences to the family here and in Texas,” Harriett E Ingram commented. Another user, Paul Stephanie Edenfield said: “It breaks my heart! Kids just playing and having fun.” “Awe poor little man! My condolence to his Mom and dad and family, total heart breaks,” Collene Reynolds added.
Funeral services for Wrangler will be held on Tuesday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at Sardis Baptist Church in Jewett.
In another similar incident, a child in Christchurch, New Zealand was found unresponsive inside a running washing machine last year, The child later died. n June 2019, a two-year-old girl suffocated after climbing into a dryer while her mother slept off. The girl was discovered in the dryer in a trailer park in Waycross, Georgia, in the US.