A 3-year-old boy was in critical condition Saturday night after being seriously injured after falling from and being hit by a Christmas parade float.

The boy somehow fell from the float while it was in motion and was hit by the tires on the trailer, Valdosta police Lt. Adam Bembry told WALB.

>> Read more trending stories

Emergency crews were on scene almost immediately and the boy was taken to Shands Hospital in Florida, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

"We're praying for the child and hoping for the best," Valdosta police Chief Brian Childress told the Times.

 Authorities are investigating the incident.

About the Author

Featured

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney — pictured during a hearing Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 — has cleared the way for Georgia's State Election Board to obtain Fulton ballots and other documents from the 2020 election. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC