Family Grieves Death Of 8-Year-Old Aidan Hooper, Killed At Edmond Parade

Loved ones are grieving the death of 8-year-old Aidan Hooper, who was killed in what is being called a tragic accident at an Edmond parade Thursday.

Visitors to the annual LibertyFest say the celebration was in full swing when a heartbreaking scene unfolded in front of hundreds of children and adults. Police say the accident occurred around 11 a.m. Thursday shortly after floats were leaving the parade route. Aidan was riding on a float sponsored by ATA Karate of Edmond. Police say the boy jumped or fell onto the road and was ran over by a trailer.

"The floats were kind of bumper-to-bumper," Officer James Hamm with Edmond Police said. "[It] was slow, stop and go traffic."

Aidan was taken to OU Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Police say a lot of people saw what happened. LibertyFest parade grand marshal John Herrington was shocked to learn the news.

7/4/2013 Related Story: Boy, 8, Killed After Falling Off Of Parade Float In Edmond

"We saw an ambulance and a bunch of motorcycle police go by really fast," Herrington said. "You can't imagine what a parent would feel in that situation. It's incredibly sad."

On Facebook, pictures show Aidan as happy boy before his first ride on a school bus and with a large smile as he drinks a milkshake.

The accident caused a hour-long road closure at LibertyFest. The event continued as scheduled throughout Thursday evening.

Hospital officials said family members have not yet set funeral arrangements. They also said, as of late Thursday, Aidan's body had not been released from the Medical Examiner's Office.

In a statement, the Hooper family's church says, "NORTHchurch loves the Hooper family and we will be there to support them during this difficult time."