[Jackobotzie]

SALEM, Conn. -- A 6-year-old boy helping his father on a landscaping job during school vacation was killed Tuesday after getting pulled into a wood chipper, state police said.

Jeffrey Bourgeois was putting a branch in the chipper at about 8:45 a.m. when it yanked him into the machine after his father momentarily turned his back, said Lt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman. The accident happened at a home in Salem, a town of about 4,000 people nearly 30 miles southeast of Hartford.

Vance said the accident was so terrible that grief counselors were called to the scene.

"The little guy was apparently trying to help his dad," Vance said. "It's a very tragic and difficult scene for everybody."

Jeffrey and his two older siblings were with their father, Scott Bourgeois, who owns C&S Tree Removal. The family lives in Salem, less than a half-mile from where the accident happened.

Jeffrey was a first-grader at Salem Elementary School, where he was honored in the school newsletter with a "Caught Being Good" award in December.

Jeffrey and his family also enjoyed running in road races. In the Salem Kids 1 Mile Race in April 2011, he finished 45th with a time of 12:32, according to thelastmileracing.com.

The town's fire chief, Eugene Maiorano, was the first emergency responder to the accident.

"We're getting counseling for the family," Maiorano told WTNH-TV. "The family lives right across the street from me so I was the first on the scene. Saw that we had basically kept everybody away."

Salem First Selectman Kevin Lynden called Tuesday "a very, very sad day for our Salem residents. This was a Salem family, very good family in town, a well-known family. Our hearts and prayers go out to them."

The interim superintendent of Salem schools, Kaye Griffin, said a school would open during vacation week to provide counseling to students accompanied by parents. She said the school system is also developing plans to offer counseling for students and staff members when classes resume next week.

[Dynamo47]

That is so horrible. I feel for the poor father who turned his back a second and now lost his son. I can't imagine the pain and guilt he is feeling.

[Azimuth]

Oh my God, that is really horrific, that poor family.

[TwistedPrincess]

and although i would imagine it would be very quick, it would be a horrid death, so sad for anyone but damn a 6 year old child? beyond tragic!

[Parannoyed]

Cant even imagine what i would do... I think if i turned round to see my son inside that machine dead, i would curl up in a ball for the rest of my life

[Dynamo47]

Originally Posted by Parannoyed ↗

Cant even imagine what i would do... I think if i turned round to see my son inside that machine dead, i would curl up in a ball for the rest of my life

My likely first impulse would be to dive in and join him.

[Cumulonimbus]

What a terrible tragedy. I can't imagine how difficult it will be for the family to cope with that tragedy. If I witnessed that happen to a loved one, my sanity would be lost.

[Angelahh]

[DRZrider]

i would never let my kid work around machinary like that hes only 6 for godsakes he should be playin with tonka toy trucks like holy

[mrm1109]

Originally Posted by DRZrider ↗

i would never let my kid work around machinary like that hes only 6 for godsakes he should be playin with tonka toy trucks like holy

I was thinking to myself why would you let a six year old around a wood chipper!?