A 10-year-old Connecticut boy, who was tragically killed after being swept away in a river pipe while playing with his brothers on Friday, is being remembered as a “one of a kind,” “happy” child with a “bright” future. On Sunday, hundreds gathered in Branford, Connecticut to honor the life of Ben Callahan.
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“To see this community everybody come out together it was really overwhelming and cool,” Ben’s father, David Callahan, told WFSB.
According to authorities, the little boy was playing with his brothers, Cooper and Scout, near the Branford River after Friday afternoon’s rainstorms when the incident occurred. Branford Police Captain Geoff Morgan said the boys desperately tried to save their brother after he was apparently sucked through a four foot pipe that runs from the marsh toward a waterway on the other side of the road, but the current proved too great.
“They were on the edge of the roadway by the culvert,” Morgan said. “One of them lost their footing and got swept into the pipe that goes underneath the water.”
Emergency crews and dive teams searched the waters for hours and ultimately recovered the child’s body about 50 yards from the pipe.
Those who knew Ben remembered him as a kind and loving individual who would do anything for anyone.
“I coached Ben for a few years in lacrosse,” said Corey Reddington. “He was the kind of kid that would go through a wall for you, anything you asked him to do he would do.”
His family shared that he was an excellent student and athlete who loved his siblings.
“He was so generous and willing to share, even sometimes with his brothers, it was really nice,” said his father.
A GoFundMe was set up in honor of the late child and has already nearly quadrupled the initial fundraising goal of $5,000. While such a death is nearly incomprehensible, Ben’s family is grateful for the support they have received and knows that they will one day be reunited with their beloved brother and son.
“[It’s] just so brilliant to me to see that,” Callahan said, “and to know that everyday we’re here on earth is one day closer being able to see him again and being with him forever.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe in memory of Ben Callahan HERE.
H/T: WFSB