Country singer Granger Smith and his wife, Amber, have shared the devastating news that their three-year-old has died in a "tragic accident".
Country singer Granger Smith and his wife, Amber, have shared the devastating news that their three-year-old has died in a "tragic accident".
"We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith. Following a tragic accident, and despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived," he continued.
"Amber and I made the decision to say our last goodbyes and donate his organs so that other children will be given a second chance at life."
"Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father," he wrote.
"Everyone that met him knew that immediately. The joy he brought to our lives cannot be expressed and his light will be forever in our hearts."
"If there are words to say more, I cannot find them in this moment. Love the ones close to you. There has never been a more difficult moment for us than this," the post concluded.
Granger shared the news himself in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
Morgan Miller, whose 19-month-old daughter drowned a year ago, sent her support to Granger as well.
She re-shared Granger's post and added, "My heart breaks. Another baby gone too soon."
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 350 children under the age of five drown per year. Among unintentional injuries, drowning is the second leading cause of death to this age group after motor vehicle accidents.
Additionally, another 2,600 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for near-drowning incidents. Some of these submersion accidents result in permanent brain damage.
These kinds of accidents can happen extremely quickly and often don't involve any obvious signs of a struggle, so please be hyper-aware and alert about your children's safety around bodies of water this summer.
Our deepest condolences to the Smith family.