NEED TO KNOW
- A 16-year-old boy died after he hit a partially submerged log while riding a tube on a private pond in Missouri
- Truston Alexander was remembered after the freak accident as having “that country boy charm”
- “He never met a stranger, and if you were lucky enough for him to let you in … he loved big,” his family said
A 16-year-old boy died in a freak boating accident in Missouri.
Truston Alexander was riding a tube on a private pond in Butler County at around 9:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 15, when he was thrown and hit a partially submerged log in the water, local outlets KFVS and the Daily American Republic reported.
Alexander was taken to Poplar Bluff Hospital with serious injuries and later airlifted to another hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where he died on Wednesday, July 16.
A report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) that was obtained by KFVS said another 16-year-old boy was driving the boat at the time of the incident.
Troopers with the Highway Patrol told the outlet that neither of the teens were wearing a life jacket while on the boat.
Alexander’s funeral service was held on Saturday, July 19, according to an online obituary.
The teen was remembered as an active member of his community, for working at a local restaurant, attending youth group at his church and for being an avid golfer, both at school and at his country club.
Alexander, a hunter, ATV rider and traveler, “enjoyed music, but only the first 30 seconds of a song,” the obituary added.
“Above all else, Truston was … respectful, witty, knowledgeable, adventurous, duck hunt lovin’, golf playin’, and has that country boy charm,” it continued. “He never met a stranger, and if you were lucky enough for him to let you in … he loved big.”
Alexander is survived by his parents, a brother and sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as “golf buddies, hunting buddies and friends.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to data from Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, the incident marks the first boating fatality in the area.
Read the full article here
