In Loving Memory of Mason Kearns, 13

In Loving Memory of Mason Kearns, 13

Mount Aire mourns a young life lost to sudden flash flooding

Mason Kearns

His death was confirmed by the Mount Airy Police Department after rescue attempts and a recovery operation.

⛈️ Tragedy in an Instant

Flash flooding had enveloped the neighborhood near Watersville Apartments in the late afternoon when Mason was playing with friends. Witnesses say water surged down a nearby retention pond and swept Mason into a storm drain’s narrow entrance. Despite desperate efforts from bystanders and emergency services, he could not be rescued alive. 

One witness, Maggie McBain, described rushing into the water in a desperate attempt to help—only to find the force of the current too strong. “I tried my hardest,” she said, before paramedics arrived. 

💔 Community Grief and Reflection

Residents of Mount Airy struggle to comprehend the swift and brutal nature of the tragedy.

• “This kind of stuff just doesn’t happen,” lamented one neighboring resident, capturing the shock across the area. 

• Another added, “It’s literally right outside my front door. I’m going to have to walk past it every day knowing some kid died right there.” 

Across neighborhoods, the outpouring of sorrow has united people—from local schools, families, and neighbors to first responders—around Mason’s loss.

🚨 Lessons from the Storm

The tragedy has cast a stark light on the dangers of rapidly rising floodwaters:

• National Weather Service officials noted that moving water can quickly gain deadly power—even in areas not typically prone to flooding. Flash floods can kill more people than tornadoes due to their unpredictability and force. The retention pond and drainage system in the apartment complex funneled water faster and higher than anticipated—creating a deadly torrent out of what seemed like a routine day. 

Local leaders are now discussing improved safety measures and public awareness campaigns to prevent similar tragedies.

🌟 Honoring Mason’s Memory

Mason will be remembered not for how he died, but for the brightness he brought to everyone around him:

• A friend shared, “He was full of energy and always up for a game or conversation.”

• Another said, “He had a presence—you’d feel him walk into a room.”

Community members have begun leaving flowers and remembrance items near the site of the incident, transforming grief into solidarity.

🕯️ Support and Solidarity

While funeral details have yet to be released, immediate support for Mason’s family has been heartfelt and widespread:

• Local schools and parents have offered counseling services for children who knew or played with Mason.

• First responders who battled the conditions that evening are praying for strength and peace.

• Messages of condolence and memory-sharing are being shared through community groups and faith centers across Mount Airy.

📌 Quick Summary Table

💬 Final Reflections

As Mount Airy mourns, the community is determined not only to grieve but to remember—Mason’s laughter, his quick smile, and the simple joys of childhood that defined him. His passing is a reminder of nature’s unpredictable force and our shared responsibility to safeguard young lives.

To Mason’s family: you are surrounded by a community that stands with you—in sorrow, in prayer, and in enduring love.

May you rest in peace, Mason. You will not be forgotten.