PHOENIX – An 8-year-old boy tragically passed away in Arizona following an accident where a large concrete statue toppled over and hit him at a historic hotel.

Firefighters were dispatched to the Arizona Biltmore resort on November 27 at approximately 9 a.m. after reports indicated that a child had sustained injuries at the hotel situated northeast of downtown Phoenix.

The child was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead the following day. The main cause of death was determined to be complications from blunt force trauma to the head, as per the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Capt. Todd Keller from the Phoenix Fire Department reported that a portion of the concrete statue fell on the boy, inflicting a severe head injury. The reason behind the statue’s fall is still unknown, along with whether the boy was with a parent or guardian at the time of the incident. Authorities ruled out foul play.

“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the hotel earlier this morning,” stated the hotel in a message to The Arizona Republic, part of the YSL News Network. “Our top priority is ensuring the safety and security of our guests, and our hearts are with the family affected by these events today.”

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation: ‘We are deeply saddened’

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, dedicated to safeguarding Wright’s legacy and educating the public about his work, expressed their condolences over the tragedy at the Arizona Biltmore, which reflects Wright’s architectural influence.

“The news regarding the child’s passing at the Biltmore is utterly heartbreaking,” remarked Henry Hendrix, chief marketing officer for the foundation. “We are profoundly saddened by this unfortunate accident, and our thoughts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult period.”

“We share in this profound sorrow and keep those affected close in our thoughts as they cope with this unimaginable loss,” the statement further expressed.

The statue involved in the accident was a “sprite,” designed to represent a mythological figure intended to protect the land. The Arizona Biltmore’s website reports that the resort features 19 sprite statues.

Hendrix noted that these sprites at the Biltmore are inspired by the designs from Wright’s Midway Gardens project in Chicago, which was constructed in 1914 and demolished in 1929. The statues at the Biltmore were made during the mid-1980s and presented to the hotel in 1988. They are not classified as historic artifacts and do not fall under historic preservation guidelines.