In Bushwick Inlet Park on Friday afternoon, 16‑year‑old Timothee Englund lost his life after a fall from a tall metal light tower that stands near the Williamsburg waterfront. The incident happened just after 1 p.m. around March 20, when police and emergency responders rushed to the scene following a 911 call about someone falling from a height. Englund was found on the ground with severe head injuries and quickly taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Englund’s parents, Yvette and Tobias Englund, spoke about their son with heavy hearts, calling him a loving, funny, and sporty kid. He was a sophomore at Manhattan Village Academy who enjoyed soccer, pickup basketball, and had plans to try out for the wrestling team in the fall. Friends and family said he was always smiling and cracking jokes, a kid full of energy and promise. The loss has deeply shaken those who knew him.
According to police, Englund had climbed the metal structure that offers views of the city skyline. A chain‑link fence surrounds the base of the tower, but there has long been a large gap that makes access easy. Neighbors told reporters that local teens often hang out in the area and that the gap in the fence was well known. It’s still unclear exactly why Englund climbed the tower or what he was doing moments before his fall.
The NYPD continues to investigate the circumstances of the accident, but no arrests have been made and authorities have not suggested foul play. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death once its review is complete. For now, the focus is on understanding how an ordinary afternoon became a heartbreaking tragedy for a family and a neighborhood.
Friends described the park as a popular spot, especially on warm days like the Friday when Englund fell. It’s a place where people come to relax, take in views of the skyline, and enjoy time outdoors. But for his family, what should have been a normal day turned into the worst moment of their lives. They are left with questions about what led their son to climb the tower that day and deep grief over the loss of someone so young.
Yvette and Tobias Englund spoke about their son’s love of life, remembering how he lit up a room with his sense of humor and how he bonded with them over sports. They said the family is struggling to make sense of what happened and is seeking answers. Community members have offered support, but the hole left by Timothee’s passing is profound.
As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the family’s focus remains on honoring Timothee’s memory. They want people to remember the joy he brought to others and the young life he lived so fully in his short 16 years.
