December 13, 2016
Terminally ill boy dies in Santa’s arms
TENNESSEE, USA (AP) — A Tennessee Santa Claus says a terminally ill five-year-old boy died in his arms after he gave the child a present in the hospital.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that Eric Schmitt-Matzen, who does about 80 events a year as Santa, was asked a few weeks ago to visit the dying boy.
Schmitt-Matzen said that when he gave the child a toy he gave him a big hug, and asked “Santa, can you help me?” and died in his arms.
Schmitt-Matzen said it will take him days to recover, but he’s continuing to play Santa.
The News-Sentinel report didn’t include details on the boy or the hospital.
Schmitt-Matzen didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
