OWEN COUNTY, Ind. — Family members have identified the two Indianapolis children killed during a weekend camping trip in Owen County.
Nine-year-old Alexander “Xander” and 8-year-old Ziva Clark died on Saturday, April 23.
The Owen County Sheriff's Department said they received a call around 2 p.m. Saturday of two children injured at the Indian Oaks Campground.
Police said an 8-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy were injured from a tree that had fallen. Investigators said the siblings were riding as passengers in a golf cart with their parents when strong winds toppled a dead tree.
Medics pronounced both children at the scene. The children were later identified by the family as Xander and Ziva.
Their obituary said the siblings were "exemplary straight-A students at Robey Elementary School." Xander was in third grade and Ziva was in second grade.
Wayne Township Superintendent Dr. Jeff Butts said tweeted his condolences to the family Saturday.
"Today we lost two elementary students to a very senseless accident. They and their parents have been added to my prayer list," Butts said.
The school district released the following statement on Monday:
"The MSD of Wayne Township was heartbroken to learn of the deaths of two elementary students over the weekend as a result of an accident while at a campground with their parents. We are working with the families involved to provide support during this terribly challenging time. Additional resources are being provided for the students and staff impacted as they grieve and mourn these losses. We are deeply appreciative of the outreach from so many in our community and around the state."
A memorial foundation has been established on behalf of Xander and Ziva at the Professional Police Officers Credit Union located at 1502 Washington St. in Indianapolis.
The obituary said the foundation will "serve as a way to support the activities they enjoyed most, and were near and dear to their hearts."
The obituary for Xander and Ziva can be read below:
"Our perfect children, Alexander “Xander”, age 9, and Ziva Clark, age 8, the beloved son and daughter of Brian and Crystal Clark, passed away April 23, 2022. Both were exemplary straight-A students at Robey Elementary School. Xander was in 3rd grade Horizons and Ziva was in 2nd grade.
Xander excelled in martial arts and was a 4th Level 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He was also a talented basketball player and practiced every single day despite the weather. He was an enthusiastic Pacers fan and dreamed of being a professional basketball player and a part-time meteorologist.
Ziva was a competitive gymnast at Westside Gymnastics. She practiced daily on her balance beam and bars to perfect her routines. She was 1st Place All Around and placed 4th in State Competition. She devoted her time to mastering her skills so she could be an Olympic gymnast or a professional snowboarder.
Along with their parents, survivors include grandparents John and Carol Clark, Lori and Kevin Marsh, and Alan and Suzanne Driver, along with many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins."
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