10-year-old boy from Niagara County died after snow pile collapsed on Wednesday
Ben Wasik
PENDLETON – A 10-year-old boy who was out playing in the snow on Wednesday died after a snow pile collapsed on him, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department is reporting.
Ben Wasik was digging a tunnel in the snow at a farm at Aiken Road when the snow pile collapsed at about 3:30 p.m. He was transported by Twin City Ambulance to Millard Filmore Suburban Hospital where he was pronounced deceased, the Sheriff’s Department reported.
Sheriff James R. Voutour held a press conference at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheriff’s Office in Lockport. Voutour said the death was accidental by asphyxiation.
Ben was a fourth-grader at Starpoint. Ben was with parents who became worried when they didn’t see him after a few minutes, Voutour said.
Ben’s father was plowing the driveway, and warned his son to stay away from the steep snowpile, Voutour said.
“Ben was a typical 10-year-old who loved being on the farm,” Vontour said.”He was a kid who loved life, who always wanted to be in the outdoors.”
First responders were on scene within a few minutes and performed CPR.
