Tree limb kills city youngster
Published 5:00 am Monday, August 26, 2002
A Brookhaven toddler has died of injuries received last week ina freak accident at home, said Robert Tyler, deputy coroner forLincoln County.
Tra Shawn Owens, the 13-month-old son of Michael Beasley andLillian Owens, died Thursday at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospitalin Jackson around 12:45 p.m., said Tyler.
The young Owens was transferred to UMC via a helicopter fromKing’s Daughters Medical Center just shortly after a tree limb fellon his head Tuesday, according to Tyler.
“The little boy was playing in the yard with some other childrenwhen a limb snapped and fell on him,” said Tyler.
Tyler estimated the limb was about three inches in diameter andabout 12 feet long, possibly weighing around 100 pounds.
High winds were not reported at the time of the accident, whichhappened at 707 East Chickasaw Street. However, Tyler noted thatthe limb was weighted down with plenty of new growth in the form ofpecans.
“It was just a total accident. It was no one’s fault,” saidTyler. “It was something really tragic.”
Several adults were in the yard watching the children when theaccident happened, said Tyler, adding that they quickly rushed theboy to the hospital.
Graveside services for the youngster will be at 3 p.m., Mondayat Siloam Church Cemetery. Williams Mortuary is in charge ofarrangements.
Survivors are his parents; his brothers, Tae and Dee Winston ofHattiesburg; and his grandparents, Karl Lyons, Vickie Lyons andFlorence Beasley, all of Brookhaven.