Kentucky 8-Year-Old Dies After Choking On Bouncy Ball

An 8-year-old child in Nelson County, Kentucky, died after he choked on a bouncy ball last week, according to reports.

The boy, identified as Landon McCubbins, was at Boston School when the incident happened on Nov. 21, WHAS 11 reported.

It was unclear how Landon choked on a bouncy ball.

"He just choked on a ball," Emma McCubbins, Landon's aunt, said.

"[Y]ou never think, with a kid that age, you would have to worry about something like that," she added.

First responders airlifted McCubbins and his mother, Lauren McCubbins, to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, but the middle schooler died shortly after.

Landon is survived by his parents and four siblings.

His funeral services were scheduled for around 11 a.m. Monday at the Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home.

Meanwhile, his internment was to take place at The First Cedar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Boston School said in a statement.

"We never would have thought we would bury him. We thought he would be burying all of us because that's how it's supposed to work," Emma said.

Boston School was closed Monday "to give families and staff space and time to honor" Landon, who was described by the institute as someone "loved deeply by his classmates and teachers."

Mental health services have also been available for the community.

The school plans to resume a normal schedule Tuesday.

"Our hearts go out to Landon's family and friends. Please join us as we hold them in our prayers during this time of great loss," school principal Niki King said.

Community members have reportedly set up funds for the family's expenses through Liberty Tax Angels in Bardstown.

Landon's family has been overwhelmed by the help from neighbors, first responders and Boston School.

Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children under the age of 5, the New York State Department of Health claimed.

At least one child dies from choking on food every five days in the United States, according to the department, which considers toys like small balls as choking hazards.

Meanwhile, more than 12,000 children are taken to a hospital emergency room for food-choking injuries each year.