HASTINGS, Fla. -- Tragedy has struck Pedro Menendez High School for the second time in a week.
As the dust settled on a tragic morning at William Revels Farm, so did crowds of friends and family, all gathered to remember one of the potato farm's youngest growers, 18-year-old Jerad Revels.
Police say Revels was moving one of the tractors in the potato fields when its wheels slipped into a water-filled ditch. The tractor flipped, crushing the young farmer. Rescue workers say Revels didn't suffer very long.
"Our units arrived on scene in approximately nine minutes," said Matthew Sara, spokesman for St. Johns County Fire Rescue. "Unfortunately there was nothing that they were able to do for the patient, he was pronounced dead on arrival of our units."
Rebekah Barnes grew up farming right next door to the Revels. She says the teen lost his life doing what he did best; helping the family out on the farm.
"It's a generational family business," she said. "It's just a lifestyle and he jumped right into it."
As Barnes and the rest of the tight-knit community struggle with this tragic loss, she asks for strength.
"Please pray for his family and know that we've suffered a great loss today, not just his family but our whole community."
Revels was a senior at Pedro Menendez High School in St. Augustine where he played baseball. Grief counselors were provided on and off campus for students, staff and family.
Early Saturday morning, 19-year-old
Ryan Ford died after a fight at a bonfire party in Jacksonville. Two men have been arrested in connection with Ford's death.
