Nolan Gerwels (pictured), 14, was fatally injured when a basketball rim, backboard and supporting bracket came out of the wall and fell on him at his family’s home in Indiana
A 14-year-old boy was fatally injured when a basketball backboard fell on him inside his family’s Indiana home.
Nolan Gerwels was playing basketball Friday evening with his younger sister when the tragedy occurred.
St Joseph County police said they were on an indoor court in the South Bend suburb of Granger when the rim, backboard and supporting bracket came out of the wall and fell on Nolan.
Nolan suffered apparent head injuries and was pronounced dead at Memorial Hospital.
According to his obituary, Nolan was an honors student at Discovery Middle School who hoped to make the freshman basketball team this coming school year at Marian High School in Mishawaka.
‘He was first chair percussionist with Discovery Honors Band. He loved sports; he played baseball with Harris Storm as well as basketball with Discovery Middle School and with Tipping Point, where he played point guard,’ the obituary read.
The teen also ran cross country and track and field and preferred the high jump.
‘Nolan was a kind, caring kid, who valued hard work, fairness, and loyalty. He was always willing to help anyone — he has even spent the last three years as assistant coach for his little sister’s upward basketball team.
Nolan was playing basketball Friday evening with his younger sister when the tragedy occurred. St Joseph County police said the rim, backboard and supporting bracket came out of the wall and fell on Nolan. The Gerwels family is pictured; Nolan is in the center
Nolan (pictured with his siblings) was an honors student at Discovery Middle School who hoped to make the freshman basketball team this coming school year at Marian High School in Mishawaka
Nolan is survived by his parents, Kevin and Margaret Gerwels, as well as his three sisters, Nadalyn, Nia, and Neriah, and brother, Nathaniel (all pictured)
‘He was just an all around great kid and nice guy. Loved his friends and his family and was very close to all his siblings.’
St Joseph County Police Assistant Chief Bill Thompson told the Indy Star on Monday that the incident was ‘extremely unusual’ but the department will still conduct an investigation to find out ‘exactly how the goal and the support bracket for it was anchored to the wall’.
Family members and friends posted heartfelt tributes to Nolan on Facebook.
Nolan’s mother, Margaret (pictured), said her son ‘was a kind, caring kid, who valued hard work, fairness, and loyalty’
‘It’s times like these that we all realize how fragile life can be. His family and teammates face some difficult days ahead, let’s come together and show our support for them,’ the Harris Storm baseball team wrote.
The Granger Rocket Lions football team also shared a tribute on Facebook.
‘Our hearts are heavy such a great kid this year we will retire #21 dedicate this year to you Nolan our angel in the sky rest easy bud,’ the post read.
Nolan’s jersey number for the Lions was No. 21.
Bill Redman, who is currently running for Sheriff of St Joesph County shared that he met Nolan as part of the D.A.R.E program.
‘Nolan was a kind, generous, and wonderful young man. I am overwhelmed with grief at the loss of such a bright young man who I considered a “friend”.
‘Nolan was a former D.A.R.E. student and participated in a recent video for my campaign. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. May God bless you Nolan,’ Redman wrote.
Nolan is survived by his parents, Kevin and Margaret Gerwels, as well as his three sisters, Nadalyn, Nia, and Neriah, and brother, Nathaniel.
Family members and friends posted heartfelt tributes to Nolan on Facebook. Bill Redman, who is currently running for Sheriff of St Joesph County shared a tribute that said he met Nolan as part of the D.A.R.E program. Nolan is pictured in Redman’s campaign for sheriff