Child Dies After Tree Falls On Winthrop School Playground
By Ellen Putnam
Photo Credit: Nancy Clover
The entire Melrose community was shaken by tragedy on Monday afternoon when a tree fell on the Winthrop School playground soon after dismissal time, killing a nine-year-old child.
“There are no words to convey such a profound loss,” Superintendent Cari Berman and Mayor Jen Grigoraitis wrote in a joint statement. “Our hearts are and will remain with the student's family, friends, classmates who are navigating this unimaginable tragedy.”
Family members identified the child as Zakaria Bel Qaid, a third grader at Winthrop.
“It is with utmost sadness and grief that we announce the passing of our most beautiful boy, Zakaria,” they wrote. “He spent his last moments laughing and playing tag with his little sister and her friend. Zakaria had such a bright future that was cut way too short at just 9 years old. He just had his birthday last week and was excited that he would be a double high five next year.”
“He was fun and incredibly loving, loyal, determined, confident, silly, stubborn, and the very best mama's boy. He loved to ski so much - it was absolutely everything to him and I'm so glad he had the best winter ever. Thank you to everyone that loved him. This is an incomprehensible loss.”
Zakaria Bel Qaid
Photo from the Bel Qaid Family
Zakaria was a talented skiier, and won a gold medal in the USASA national championships in halfpipe last month.
Community members remembered Zakaria as a kind, generous, creative, and enthusiastic child who made an impression on everyone who met him.
“Zakaria, with his million dollar smile and his loving dedication to drawing excavators, was a steady presence at The Big Yellow House for a few years,” Follow Your Art posted. “He always kept us on our toes with his creative ideas, and we just can't imagine a world without his big energy and even bigger heart. We'll miss you.”
His skiing community posted about him: “Zakaria made a lasting impact on the Northern Vermont ski community, from the smiles he brought to the quiet words of encouragement before dropping in, then sending it off jumps and landing his signature 360s and 540s. He was always taking laps with kids after comps, sharing time, encouragement, and love for the sport, and he was an amazing older brother. He will be forever missed and will always hold a special place in the Northern Vermont community that can never be filled.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Green Mountain Academy in Stowe, Vermont, in memory of Zakaria.
Community members are invited to join in a symbolic sharing of grief and community art on Saturday morning from 10 to 11:30am at Memorial Hall.