On Friday, January 5, 2024, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, two young brothers, Antwon Amos Jr., 6, and Legend Sims, 8, lost their lives in a tragic accident.
The incident occurred shortly after the boys were dropped off by their school bus.
The boys were playing near their home when they ventured onto the ice of a city-owned pond behind one of the main buildings at a newly opened apartment complex on Sun Prairie’s west side.
Both boys broke through the thin layer and plunged into the icy water. Police reports suggest that Legend might have fallen in while attempting to save Antwon.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and pulled both boys from the water. They were rushed to a local hospital and listed in critical condition.
Legend died from his injuries on Saturday, while younger brother Antwon passed away on Monday.
The brothers, known for their lively spirits, were students at Royal Oaks Elementary School and active participants in community sports. Both were members of The Black Men Coalition youth baseball program.
This loss has deeply affected the Sun Prairie community, bringing to the forefront the need for improved safety measures around such water bodies.
Local officials and community members are now considering the necessity of fencing around retention ponds as part of the safety measures. This discussion is driven by the urgent need to protect children from the hidden dangers posed by water in residential neighborhoods.
The tragedy of Antwon and Legend’s passing has united the Sun Prairie community in their grief and a collective call for action to improve safety measures.
A GoFundMe campaign to pay for the boys’ funeral and burial, organized by the boys’ mother Kiana Sims, has raised nearly $70,000.
