A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, July 30, causing serious injuries to a young child. The local community has come together to extend support as the young girl fights for her life in the hospital. To aid Harper Finn, a 5-year-old victim of a horse harness accident, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to provide assistance. Here are specific details about the horse harness incident, the ongoing investigation, and the GoFundMe initiative for Harper Finn. During the Jefferson Memorial Races at the Effingham County Fair, Harper Finn was present with her parents, Richard and Bethany Finn from Altamont. Stay tuned for additional information about Harper Finn’s parents in relation to the Illinois Harness Race.
Who are Harper Finn’s Parents?
Harper Finn’s parents are Richard and Bethany Finn. Richard and Bethany Finn, residents of Altamont, are Harper’s parents. As of late Tuesday afternoon, the child’s condition remained uncertain. Harness racing holds deep significance for Richard Finn, as well as other members of the family. According to an obituary, Richard D. (Rick) Finn, his father, passed away at the age of 64 in Crete on May 6, 2023, following a brief struggle with cancer. Richard Finn Sr. had been involved in Standardbred ownership since 1983, with a lifetime involvement that included ownership or breeding of 74 horses.
A commemorative event was organized to celebrate the life of Harper Finn at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Newton. This occasion included a picnic, a dedication in her honor within the race, and a touching presentation of a memorial blanket. Later in the year, a ceremony is planned to be held on the track at the Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago. According to coverage by Alex Wallner from the Effingham Daily News, it was revealed that Richard Finn had plans to participate in the races on the same day, though not in the initial race that tragically involved his daughter. The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office reported that during the race, a pace car passed the grandstand and accidentally struck Harper with an extended starting gate.
This tragic incident occurred before Harper’s scheduled participation in the Little Miss pageant, which eventually took place on a Tuesday night. Greg Sapp, the Master of Ceremonies for the event, shared endearing insights about Harper, which she had previously conveyed to event organizers. Harper’s favorite foods included “Grandma Donna’s pancakes,” cheese pizza, and buttered noodles. She had a passion for singing and dancing. Harper held her Grandpa Dean in high regard as her favorite person, and she expressed her aspiration to become a cheerleader when she grows up. Following the incident on Sunday, Harper was promptly transported from the accident scene by A-I Ambulance of Altamont to the helipad at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.
Following the official accounts, Harper Finn was subsequently transported to St. Louis Children’s Hospital by ARCH Air Medical. Regrettably, her life came to an end on Wednesday night. Effingham County Sheriff, Paul Kuhns, issued a statement on Thursday afternoon expressing appreciation for the public’s support and willingness to contribute to the investigation. He extended heartfelt condolences to the Finn family and all individuals affected by this tragic event. During an interview, Kuhns mentioned that the investigation was making progress. He clarified that his agency did not categorize this as a criminal investigation and stressed that the final decision would be determined by the Effingham County State’s Attorney.
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Source: HIS Education