Boy's death in parade avoidable, report says

PLANT CITY - The death of a 9-year-old boy who was run over by a Christmas parade float while throwing candy to onlookers could have been prevented, a report said.

The city report released Friday said Plant City leaders should change the parade rules, that Jordan Hays was too young to walk the parade route, and that officials should consider banning the distribution of beads and candy in parades.

Jordan was killed in the Dec. 7 parade as he reached for more candy. His foot was caught by a float's wheel and he was dragged underneath, authorities said.

The report found Jordan's death was not caused by spectators crowding the float, but that crowd control has been a problem in the past.

"It is incumbent on the city and all parade organizers to recognize the increasingly aggressive nature of some parade spectators and to take appropriate actions ," the report stated.

The city's Strawberry Festival Grand Feature Parade is March 3, and officials have said beads and candy will not be distributed.

[Last modified January 13, 2008, 00:29:34]