A former Winnipegger and well-known radio personality is using the death of his son to bring awareness to a problem, in hopes of preventing further tragedies.

 

Garrett Mills, a 15-year-old boy, was out with friends at a park in his hometown of Napanee, ON, on Friday, May 12 enjoying the start of the weekend when tragedy struck. According to reports, Garrett was hanging from the crossbar of a soccer goal at a local park. Suddenly the net tipped forward, throwing Garrett to the ground, and landing on his head. The impact killed the young boy instantly, despite attempts by his friends and first responders to save him.

Garrett's father, David Mills (better known by the stage name Buzz Collins), said in a Facebook post that it was a tragedy that didn't need to happen. The goal was allegedly not anchored down, allowing it to tip.

 

 

David has said that he will now make it his goal to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. "Over the days, weeks, months and hopefully years to come, I will do my best to ensure this doesn't have to happen to another family. It shouldn't have had to happen to ours."

 

 

David hopes a simple step can start to bring awareness: he's asking that people place checkered duct tape around the left post "of every soccer goal we can get to. So if you see that, you know why it's there." He says the idea came from a family friend.

David Mills wants children and parents to know the dangers of unanchored goal posts. It's a little-known fact that, if it was more well-known, could have saved his son's life, he feels.