Granger Teen Killed In Freak Basketball Accident

GRANGER, IN — The family of a northern Indiana teen is grieving after he was killed in a freak accident on Friday, June 22 at home while playing basketball. WBND reported St. Joseph County officials say 14-year-old Nolan Gerwals was playing with his little sister at his Granger home's indoor basketball court when a basketball rim, backboard and support bracket completely detached from a wall and fell on him, injuring his head. According to the news report, emergency crews were called to the home just before 6 p.m.

WBND said that according to police, medics treated Gerwals and took him to Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Margaret Gerwels, Nolan's mother, gave WBND a statement on the afternoon of June 23:

"There are no words to describe our grief over losing our Nolan. Nolan was an outstanding honors student at Discovery Middle School and was excited to begin high school at Marian in the fall. He loved sports and played baseball, ran cross country, and enjoyed track-but mostly the field events. His true passion was basketball. Nolan would spend hours practicing drills, working on his shot, and running game scenarios over in his head. He had hoped to one day play college ball. Nolan wasn’t just sports and academics, he was a genuinely all-around nice guy. He valued his friends and his family. Nolan was a one of a kind kid and he made this world a better place. His absence will forever weigh heavily on our hearts. He will always, always be loved."

A GoFundMe page was set up for the Gerwels by a Granger resident and neighbor of the family, who wrote that money raised would be for "unexpected expenses," such as funeral, flowers, delivery of dinners, groceries and other needs. According to a post on the page, the Gerwels also recently suffered the loss of their baby back in November.

So far more than $1,500 of a $10,000 goal has been raised.

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe