Fire truck hits & kills Elmhurst boy, 12

A 12-year-old boy was killed Saturday, September 2, by a Fire Department of New York (FDNY) fire truck, just a few feet from his home in Elmhurst.
The boy, Michael Kandathil, was crossing the street just a few houses down from his home on Hampton Avenue when the fire truck, which was using its lights and sirens responding to a call on Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights, accidentally struck and killed him at about 3 p.m. Kandathil was pronounced dead on arrival at Elmhurst General Hospital.
The incident has been ruled an accident, with the driver of the fire truck being cleared, however officials said an investigation is ongoing. Police have stated in published reports that &#8220no criminality is suspected.”
The FDNY did not release a statement due to the ongoing investigation.
Though the road was slippery due to the rainfall on Saturday, it was not apparent that the precipitation played a factor in the accident. There were no skid marks at the scene of the accident, and witnesses have stated that both the driver of the fire truck as well as the boy may not have seen each other due to a double-parked car.
Kandathil, who was an altar boy for four years at St. Bartholomew’s Parish, located just blocks from his home, also played baseball and basketball. He was also an above average student, especially in math.
Family members of the boy were distraught and declined comment.