Amish Teen, 16, Killed When Spooked Horse Flips Hay Wagon On Michigan Farm

A 16-year-old Amish boy has died after a farm accident in Sanilac County, Michigan. He was baling hay Monday when one of his horses spooked and the wagon flipped over on top of him. The Michigan State Police 3rd District news release explains what happened:

Caro Post troopers are investigating a tragic farming accident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Amish boy on September 28, 2026.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:45 p.m. in the 3400 block of Stimson Road in Sanilac County.

The initial investigation indicates the boy had been baling hay when one of the horses he was driving became spooked, causing the wagon to flip.

The wagon overturned onto the boy, trapping him underneath.

The boy was taken to a local hospital and then flown to a trauma center outside the area, where he died of his injuries.

No one else was hurt, and none of the horses were injured, according to the release. State police have not released the teen’s name. In their statement, the department extended condolences to the family and the community.

Horses sometimes spook, causing them to bolt and creating potentially dangerous situations, especially when they are hitched to heavy farm implements. We’ve also seen accidents involving buggies in similar circumstances.

Tragically, accidents have been happening lately on Amish farms. We may be hearing about more of them at this time of year, with late summer and fall being such a busy period on the farm, going into harvest season.

Two weeks ago, on September 14, a 16-year-old in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania died after falling from a horse-drawn wagon during the corn harvest in Leacock Township. A day after that, a three-year-old boy lost his life in a forklift accident in the same community. And in northwestern Pennsylvania, a farm equipment accident claimed the life of an eight-year-old boy in mid-August.

Sanilac County in Michigan’s Thumb region is home to two Amish settlements. The larger of the two is the settlement at Cass City, which we’ve seen here in previous posts. The other is at Marlette, also sizeable with around 750 people, and based on the location, that is most likely the community in question. Hate to hear about such a young person (another one!) losing his life, and I’m just sorry for his parents, family and community.

Fatal Farming Accident Under Investigation in Sanilac County

Caro Post troopers are investigating a tragic farming accident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Amish boy on September 28, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 4:45 p.m. in the 3400 block of Stimson Road… pic.twitter.com/zSUgG3e3Ei

— MSP Third District (@mspbayregion) September 29, 2026