Massachusetts 9-year-old who died from injuries at school playground remembered as loving and gifted as more details on incident released

A young Massachusetts boy who was fatally injured in a tragic incident is being remembered.

According to Melrose Public Schools Superintendent Cari Berman and Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis, a student who was seriously injured Monday afternoon during the incident on the Winthrop School playground where a tree fell has died. Two other individuals, one student and one adult, who were injured yesterday, have been discharged from area hospitals.

The family of 9-year-old Zakaria Bel Qaid issued a statement on social media Tuesday after the death of their young son.

“It is with utmost sadness and grief that we announce the passing of our most beautiful boy, Zakaria. He was involved in a crazy and unbelievable accident on the playground at his school where a tree from a neighboring property broke and fell on him while he was playing on the play structure.

“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.”

Zakaria had multiple first place finishes at the USASA Skiing National Championships just last month. He represented Green Mountain Academy, a 501(c)3 snowboard and freeski training club in Stowe, Vermont.

GMA has created the Zakaria Bel Qaid Memorial Fund “to honor the life and passion of Zakaria, an enthusiastic skier and joyful soul gone too soon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Green Mountain Academy in memory of Zakaria.”

If you would like to donate in Zakaria’s honor, click here.