Toddler Killed by Falling Statue at Fisherman's Wharf

A toddler visiting San Francisco from Utah with his family died after a freak accident in the city's Fisherman's Wharf area Friday, a police spokesman said.

Police responded around 11:30 a.m. Friday to the 200 block of Jefferson Street after a dolphin statue outside a store toppled onto a 2-year-old boy on vacation with his family, said Officer Gordon Shyy, San Francisco police spokesman.

Apparently the boy had been playing on the statue just outside the store when it fell on him. The boy was identified as Kayson Shelton of Draper, Utah, according to the San Francisco medical examiner's office.

The San Francisco Chronicle has further details:

Capt. Joe McFadden of the Special Victims Unit, which is handling the investigation, says the boy wrapped his arms and legs around the heavy statue, causing it to become unbalanced and tip over. The boy's six-year-old sister tried to stop the fall, but the statue was too heavy.

It fell on the child who apparently sustained internal injuries. Unfortunately, when emergency personnel arrived, at first it did not appear that Shelton was seriously hurt. He was treated for a bloody nose and taken to San Francisco General Hospital.

The boy's condition worsened at the hospital, where he died later in the afternoon.

Shyy said the boy was with his mother, father, an older sister and possibly other family members. He said the business was cited for placing an object or merchandise on a sidewalk where it impedes pedestrian traffic. The Chronicle identified the store as the Majestic Collection Art Gallery. A police captain told the Chronicle that merchants along Jefferson Street have been sent a letter reminding them to keep any sidewalk merchandise behind a blue line that delineates Port of San Francisco property.

"So far it is not certain whether the dolphin statue was improperly placed, but investigators say they have access to a videotape that might clarify what happened," reports the Chronicle.

A fundraising website has been set up for Kayson's family, who live near Salt Lake City, to help with funeral expenses and other costs.

• YouCaring.com: Kayson Shelton