A deadly bus accident killed 18-year-old Jeremy T. McSpadden last Friday night, October 10, at around 10:30 PM, as he played a zombie role at the Incredible Corn Maze in Hauser, Idaho, NBC News reported.
McSpadden, of Spokane Valley, Washington, was running after the Zombie Slayer Paintball Bus dressed as one of the zombies when he tripped and ended up under the back passenger side of the bus ferrying paintball-gun-wielding passengers.
The vehicle wasn't speeding and there wasn't any alcohol involved, but the teen was killed instantly.
According to a statement from Sheriff Ben Wolfinger published on the same report from NBC News:
"The bus was travelling so slowly no speed registered on the speedometer, and the uneven terrain and bumpy ride meant people on the bus didn't initially realize anyone was struck.
"Many of the patrons believed it was just part of the ride. It was not until the bus had traveled away from the victim's location and the role players began to reset for the next bus to come along that anyone realized something was wrong."
McSpadden was a senior at West Valley High and has a twin sister studying in the school, too, reported International Business Times. A team of counselors will be in school on Monday to provide support to the students.
The Zombie Slayer Paintball Bus Ride was the season's newest roleplay attraction and costs $15 per person. Each patron is given 100 paintballs to shoot at the zombie actors as the bus drives through the corn maze, added a report by FOX8. The vehicle being used is a modified school bus and the passengers can shoot at the zombie actors as they come out of the maze.
NBC News noted that on Saturday after the incident, a telephone recording on the corn maze's information said, "We are sad to announce that all of the attractions, including the free drive in movie, will be cancelled for the remainder of the weekend."
A number of Facebook users criticized the management of the Halloween attraction for failing to give a statement regarding the tragedy, International Business Times reported.
A user wrote, "[I am] not sure what you think only closing for a weekend will accomplish. [H]ow about condolences to the family? I don't see that anywhere."
The zombie slayer ride was a popular attraction to the 12-acre site which locals have reported as a famous hayride Halloween attraction.
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