Bootheel child dead after accident on swing set

FISK, Mo. -- A Fisk kindergartner was killed in what authorities describe as a "horrible accident" Sunday when an unfinished wooden swing set collapsed on him.

The child was identified as Cobbie Bond, 7-year-old son of Carl and Lana Bond and a kindergartner at Fisk Elementary School.

The accident happened just after 6 p.m. at the Bond residence in the 6700 block of Route B, according to Butler County Coroner Jim Akers.

"Him and his two older brothers were playing on a homemade swing set; it was not completed," Akers said. "It collapsed in and fell on top of him. ... This was a horrible accident." The boys had been told to stay off the swing set.

Akers described the swing as being an A-frame design with a heavy solid beam across the top.

The boy, who suffered head trauma, was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m., Akers said.

As part of his investigation, Akers said, an autopsy will be performed by Dr. Russell Deidiker today at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo.

"We have brought our counselors from our other campuses to help in this matter," Twin Rivers superintendent Mike Stevenson said. "We're in the process of meeting with all the classes and giving them all the information and letting them know counselors are available."

Stevenson said a "safe room" has been set up for children who would like to speak with a counselor.