The small town of Redding Township, Indiana, is heartbroken after the tragic loss of four-year-old Maverick Lee Flinn and his great-grandmother in a devastating farm accident. The incident occurred on the evening of June 23, 2025, while Maverick was visiting his great-grandfather’s farm—a place he adored.
Maverick, full of energy and love for farm life, had climbed into the cab of a combine harvester with his great-grandfather. But in a heartbreaking turn of events, the young boy was struck by the machine as he tried to exit. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Maverick was pronounced dead at a nearby medical facility. His great-grandmother, also injured in the accident, passed away two days later.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the incident and expressed their deepest condolences, noting that an investigation is ongoing. But amid the grief, the community has shown incredible strength. Maverick’s uncle, Zach Flinn, shared that farming was in the boy’s blood. “He was so full of life,” Zach said. “He never met anyone he didn’t want to hug.”
Neighbors and fellow farmers immediately stepped up to help the Flinn family, completing their wheat harvest in a single day—a task that would have normally taken weeks. The outpouring of support didn’t stop there. A GoFundMe campaign, initially set with a $5,000 goal, has now raised over $77,000 to support the family.
Maverick’s funeral was held on June 30, attended by Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones in a touching tribute—Maverick’s father and grandfather are both firefighters. In his memory, the community has embraced the “Maverick Minute,” a moment to pause and check surroundings before operating farm equipment.
Though nothing can fill the void left by Maverick and his great-grandmother, the love and unity shown by their town stand as a testament to the impact they had on those around them.
