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8-Year-Old Boy Dies After Concrete Flower Pot Falls on Him, Police Say

By  Noah  Hurowitz Trevor Kapp and Allegra Hobbs | April 27, 2017 6:47pm | Updated on April 28, 2017 12:31pm

MARINE PARK — An 8-year-old boy trying to fetch a basketball from a concrete flower pot died Thursday evening after the structure abruptly crashed down on him, police said.

Kevin Reilly was trying to retrieve the ball from the pot at 2224 Ryder St., near Avenue U, when he put his weight on the flower sill around 5:25 p.m., NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.

It then gave way, and the pot him him in the head, the chief said.

"It's an accident, a terrible accident," Boyce said.

Reilly was taken to Coney Island Hospital with head trauma, but could not be saved, according to authorities.

"He was such a sweet boy," said Jamie Pelicano, a friend of the family's.

A memorial service for Reilly will be held Friday night at Gerritsen Beach Little League field, Pelicano said.