Two children dead after truck crashes into Florida mini-golf course

‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,’ says Panama Beach police spokesperson

The scene next to the Coconut Creek Golf and Maze in in Panama City, Florida, on Friday 4 December 2020 ((10 Tampa Bay - YouTube))

Two young children on holiday were killed when a man in a truck crashed onto a miniature golf course in Florida.

The two siblings, a four-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, were hit by a Chevrolet Silverado at around 3.30pm on Friday as they played mini-golf with their parents at the Coconut Creek Golf and Maze in Panama City, Florida.

The Panama City Beach Police Department identified the driver as Scott Donaldson, and alleged that his truck veered off the road and crashed into the children on the course.

One of the unidentified children died at the scene, while the other died at the Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital later in the day, according to the Panama City News Herald. The parents were unhurt in the incident.

The family was visiting Florida from Louisville, Kentucky, a spokesperson for the police department told the Associated Press.

It is currently unclear what caused the driver to leave the road and crash into the mini-golf course.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Coconut Creek Golf and Maze confirmed that the course was closed because of the crash.

The course also shared a bible verse in its short statement on Facebook: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

The police traffic homicide unit said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, according to local news outlet WJHG.

Police spokesperson Debbie Ward said in a statement over the weekend: “This is a tragic event and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

“We have had grief counsellors and clergy with the family since this happened.”

She added charges were pending, and said police would release more information when available.