GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ- A 13-year-old boy from Gloucester County has died after being pinned beneath an overturned tractor in Franklinville on Monday afternoon, leaving his community in shock and his mother facing an unimaginable loss.
Nino Costantino was riding on a tractor alongside an adult family member at the 1100 block of Swedesboro Road at approximately 5:35 p.m. when the machine overturned, authorities said. The vehicle came down on top of Nino, leaving him trapped underneath.
Officers with Franklin Township Police responded immediately and found the boy unconscious and unresponsive. Working together, they physically lifted the tractor off Nino and began life-saving measures on the scene. Despite their efforts, he was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. A second person present at the time sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
“In the couple of years I’ve known Nino, he has held a special place in my heart with his enthusiasm and vibrance for life, always finding fun in the smallest of things.” — Jay Urban, who organized a GoFundMe for Nino’s family
Nino’s death has left those who knew him devastated. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help his mother, Linda Brittingham, cover funeral expenses. Organizers note that Linda has already faced extraordinary hardship — having survived cancer twice and lost most of her immediate family. Now, she is mourning the loss of her only child.
The incident remains under investigation by Franklin Township Police. No foul play is suspected at this time.
Nino Costantino was remembered by those who knew him as a bright, energetic boy who brought joy to everyone around him. He was 13 years old.
