Tragic Loss in Mount Airy: Community Mourns 13-Year-Old Mason Kearns Swept Away by Floodwaters

Tragic Loss in Mount Airy: Community Mourns 13-Year-Old Mason Kearns Swept Away by Floodwaters

Mount Airy, MD — A wave of sorrow has gripped the tight-knit community of Mount Airy following the heartbreaking loss of 13-year-old Mason Kearns, who was tragically swept away by powerful floodwaters during Thursday’s intense and unrelenting rainstorm. The tragic incident occurred during a bout of severe weather that inundated the region with torrential downpours, causing creeks to overflow, roads to flood, and entire neighborhoods to be placed under emergency alert.

According to early reports, Mason had been playing near a normally calm stream when the fast-rising water quickly turned treacherous. Witnesses described the terrifying speed at which the floodwaters rose, overwhelming nearby areas and sweeping the young teen away in a matter of seconds. Despite desperate efforts from family members and emergency responders, Mason could not be saved.

While police have not officially released his name, family members have come forward to confirm that it was indeed Mason Kearns who was lost to the flood. They described him as a bright, kind-hearted boy with an infectious smile and a deep love for nature, video games, and spending time outdoors. Mason was well known among his classmates and teachers at Mount Airy Middle School, where he had just finished the 7th grade and was eagerly looking forward to starting 8th grade in the fall.

His mother, overwhelmed with grief, shared through a family friend that Mason had always been curious about the world and had a heart full of compassion. “He would stop to help a neighbor carry groceries or sit with a classmate who looked lonely. He was the kind of kid who made the world feel a little lighter, a little more hopeful,” she said.

The community has responded with an outpouring of support and mourning. Vigils have already begun to take shape, with friends and neighbors placing candles, flowers, and hand-written messages near the site where Mason was last seen. A growing memorial of stuffed animals and pictures now marks the spot, a quiet testament to a young life cut far too short.

Mount Airy Mayor Patrick Rockinberg released a solemn statement acknowledging the tragedy and calling for unity and care during this difficult time. “Our hearts are broken. Mason’s loss is a devastating reminder of how quickly nature can turn tragic. We ask all residents to hold the Kearns family in your thoughts and prayers and to come together to support them in their time of grief.”

Local emergency officials also reminded residents about the unpredictable nature of flash floods, especially in hilly or wooded regions like those surrounding Mount Airy. They emphasized the importance of staying clear of creeks and low-lying areas during heavy rains and issued renewed warnings for the weekend as more storms are forecast.

Mason’s church, Trinity United Methodist, will be hosting a candlelight vigil this coming Sunday evening, where friends, teachers, classmates, and members of the community will gather to remember the young boy and share memories. Plans are also underway to organize a scholarship or community fund in Mason’s name, aimed at educating youth about water safety and providing support for outdoor education programs—something Mason would have deeply loved.

At Mount Airy Middle School, grief counselors have been made available for students and staff, many of whom are struggling to process the loss of a peer so young and full of promise. Teachers recall Mason as a curious and eager learner, often the first to raise his hand in class or help a fellow student with homework.

“It’s just unfathomable,” said one of his teachers. “He had such a bright spirit. To think he’s gone—it’s devastating.”

In the face of such a tragic loss, the Mount Airy community has shown resilience, unity, and love. While the pain of Mason’s passing will linger, so too will the memory of his joyful spirit, his kind heart, and the way he brought light to those around him.

As the town gathers to honor his memory, one truth stands clear: Mason Kearns was loved deeply, and his presence, though now physically gone, will forever be felt in the hearts of all who knew him.

May he rest in peace.