Grief counselors sent to Ocala elementary school in wake of 10-year-old's death

Grief counselors were expected to be at a Marion County school Tuesday morning to comfort students, teachers and support staff in the wake of the tragic death over the weekend of one of their own.

Florida Highway Patrol officials said witnesses told them Mason Meyers, 10, of Dunnellon, was riding an ATV Sunday afternoon and the vehicle somehow overturned on him.

Troopers said the boy was transported to AdventHealth TimberRidge ER. He later died from his injuries.

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'He was always fun to be around'

The crash occurred near Southwest 80th Avenue and 151st Place, law enforcement officials said. FHP officials said their investigation continues as they try to piece together what happened.

Mason's death has hit Sunrise Elementary School hard, officials said. Grief counselors were at the school on Monday to talk to anyone who needed assistance in coping with the loss of Mason, a fourth grader.

In a statement, Sunrise Principal Cathy Balius said: "I can tell you that he had a heart of service. He was always fun to be around and very kind."

Balius also said: "I loved his sense of silliness and ability to talk with just about anyone."

Another student from Sunrise killed in 2019

It's not the first time students, teachers or those associated with the school have mourned the untimely death of one of their own.

In November 2019, Bryce Benson and another juvenile were riding their bicycles in the 10800 block of Southwest 155th Street in the Florida Highlands when an older model PT Cruiser struck Bryce. The little boy was transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, but was pronounced dead at the facility.

A second-grade student at Sunrise Elementary, Bryce was 7 at the time of his death.

The driver left the scene and drove home, FHP officials said. The crash was reported to troopers, who eventually made an arrest. The driver pleaded no contest to leaving the scene of a crash involving death or serious bodily injuries and not having a motor vehicle registration and was sentenced to a 15-year prison term.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.