4 days ago
‘We knew he was fighting': Chatham community mourns fifth death in kids camp tragedy
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — A fifth child has died after a woman drove through the YNOT after school kids camp in Chatham.
The Sangamon County Coroner said 8-year-old Bradley Lund died Monday morning after he'd been fighting for his life at the hospital following the April 28 accident. The crash also took the lives of 7-year-old Kathryn Corley, 7-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe, 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson and 18-year-old Rylee Britton.
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A little more than a month after the tragedy, the community is still coming to terms with the losses. Red ribbons continue to wrap around trees and signs while the words 'Chatham Strong' remain plastered nearly everywhere in sight.
Countless local businesses, organizations, schools and churches have hosted memorial events and fundraisers for the victims.
Timothy Welch, Bank of Springfield vice president and branch manager, said a fund started by a family friend of the Lund's has been collecting money ever since the accident.
'It's something that's on people's minds all the time,' Welch said. 'Small or large, whatever [people] can do to support, it all comes together and creates something like we have now which is a huge fund.'
Minutes down the road, Wheel Fast Bicycle Company helped plan a ride to raise money for Bradley's family.
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'We knew he was fighting and battling,' owner Matthew Saner said. 'It's tragic what happened.'
Both businesses said it's a privilege to help support a community that's been through so much.
'When something terrible happens, the way you measure a group of people is how they come together and support each other,' Welch said. 'I don't know if any place could have ever done a better job supporting each other than Chatham has.'
Although the walls of the kids camp have since been patched up, the memory of the tragedy remains.
Chatham Police have posted three other children who were hurt in the accident have gone home to their families. WCIA is unable to confirm if any children or adults still remain in the hospital recovering.
Events are ongoing to support those impacted. On July 6, Chatham Strong Fest is hosting six bands at Chatham Community Park to raise money.
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