Bennet community comes together to support tragic loss of 7- year-old boy

BENNET, Neb. (KLKN) – The community of Bennet is in mourning after learning of the tragic death of 7-year-old Charles Kohl.

Kohl was only in the second grade when he and his brother were riding a UTV on their parents’ property to get tools to build a treehouse.

After a sharp turn, the UTV rolled over, killing Charles and leaving his brother with a broken leg.

The people of Bennet are leaning on one another to mourn, attending a prayer vigil at the local church.

Reverend Darin Corder has led the Bennet Community Church for over 19 years.

He says Tuesday’s prayer vigil allows many in the community carrying the pain of Kohl’s death to physically lean on each other and release it.

“Being able to offer to the entire community a time to come together and just have a moment, a place to hold one another, grieve, support, pray, whatever,  just having the doors open to that is extremely important,” said Rev. Corder.

The service began at 5 p.m., but many people arrived before then to contribute items to a meal train organized by a friend of the Kohl family.

The service included an opening prayer and scripture readings.

There were even familiar faces in the pews, like Tyler Goodrich’s dad, who knows what the Kohl family may be going through.

“He tells us to take his grief to him, that’s how we get through this,” said Goodrich, referring to biblical guidance that helped him grieve his own son.

“Grieve in whichever way that’s appropriate for you,” he added.

Also speaking tonight was Charles Kohl’s great aunt, who came to the service with a message.

She spoke from her pew, stating that she had shown up to represent her family and to offer a blessing for the first responders.

She also thanked the community for all they’re doing, “from the bottom of my heart,” she said, tearfully.

Counseling has been made available across the board, including help for first responders and counselors at Charles’ school, Bennet Elementary.

The school decided to close its doors on Tuesday to allow students and their families to speak with counselors.

For those who would like to support the Kohl family during this time, items can be dropped off at two locations for the meal train.

One is at the Bennet Community church in Bennet, and the second is at St. Leo and Martin Parish in Palmyra.

For those who would like to make a financial contribution, the link to the family’s GiveSendGo page is here.