Cheshire and the Wilcox Technical High School community are mourning the loss of a student who died while helping an older sibling move into a dormitory at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.
On Aug. 28, Kellen McIntosh, 16, was trying to stop a rolling car that was left out of gear when the car pinned him against a wall in one of the dormitory areas. He was taken to Connecticut Children’s medical center and died on Sept. 4, according to media reports.
Kellen McIntosh lived with his family in Cheshire and was a junior in Wilcox’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning program, his father Kyle McIntosh said.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our entire school community, and we want to extend our deepest condolences to Kellen's family and friends,” Wilcox Principal Stacy Butkus wrote in a message to parents and students. “Our thoughts are with them during this unimaginable tragedy. Kellen was a cherished member of our school community, and his absence will be deeply felt by all of us.”
Butkus called upon parents and teachers to come together to offer support for each other and Kellen’s friends and family. School counselors will be available to provide emotional support to students, parents and staff members. She asked students to watch out for those who are struggling and offered guidance to parents on how to discuss the loss with children.
“We encourage you to lean on one another during this difficult time,” Butkus stated. “Whether you knew Kellen personally or not, we are all part of the Wilcox family, and together we can offer strength and comfort to one another.”
A GoFundMe page to help the family with arrangements has been set up in Kellen’s name at https://gofund.me/30975b32.
According to organizer Steve Brainard, Kellen leaves behind his mother (Carmen Valle), father (Kyle McIntosh), sister and brother. The family will have medical bills and funeral expenses to contend with, Brainard stated on the GoFundMe page.
Brainard could not be reached for further comment.
Funds will be used to reimburse the family for medical and funeral costs. The page had raised more than $10,119 as of Sept.6.
The family has spent the past week visiting Kellen at the hospital until he died on Monday, said his father Kyle McIntosh. The family was making final arrangements Wednesday.
“He was a great kid,” McIntosh said. “He was helping his sister.”
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