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1 Child Dead, 1 Injured After Fall From Balcony In Perth Amboy, New Jersey

PERTH AMBOY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- One boy was killed and another was severely injured late Thursday afternoon after they fell from a second story balcony in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Heartbroken family members arrived at the home where hours earlier the boys fell after the railing apparently gave way.

"Both boys fell to the ground, the 9-year-old is deceased," Middlesex County Prosecutor, Andrew Carey said.

The 13-year-old survived the fall.

The accident happened just after 5 p.m. Thursday night at 71 Brighton Street in Perth Amboy.

Police said a neighbor saw the boys fall and called 911.

The 13-year-old's grandfather arrived at the scene unsure of what happened.

"Nervioso," he said.

One woman, a 4th grade teacher in the neighborhood was worried the children might attend her school.

"This is my home, these are my kids, so I'm very shaken, I'm very shaken," Jacqueline Randolph said.

Investigators inspected the structure and took pictures for evidence.

At one point they measured the distance from the balcony to the ground as having a drop of nearly 13 feet.

Some neighbors said the owner of the home owns several properties in the area that they claim are in disrepair.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor said they will be speaking to him as part of their investigation.

"At this point this incident looks like a tragic accident, there is no issue of criminality, but we will complete our investigation just to make sure that's the case," Carey said.

The 13-year-old was airlifted to an area hospital, there was no word on his condition.

 

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