Child Dies After Tree Falls On Winthrop School Playground
Written By Ellen Putnam
Photographed By 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.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Green Mountain Academy in Stowe, Vermont, in memory of Zakaria.