A Family and Community Mourn

To understand the devastation of the accident, you have to understand the size of the rock. At 25 feet by 8 feet by 2 feet, it was estimated to weigh some 84 tons.

It has been devastating to the community, according to Sharmin Ames, who grew up just down the dirt road where the rock was located. It was on the left hand side of Reed Road which branches off of Lonnie Walker road north of Citronelle. Children have played around, on top of, and under it for generations.

"I played on it when I was a kid," she said. "And I'm 37 years old."

Family members say they are holding together as well as can be expected. The day after, some of the neighbors turned out to see the place where the accident happened. There is speculation that heavy rain from last week and underground springs may have contributed to the rock giving way, crushing Daniel underneath.

Susan Sullivan, whose home is mere yards from the rock, said she always cautioned her children and grandchildren about playing underneath it. "They loved it," she said. "I always told my grandchildren to stay away from it but if they go there to stay on top. I always feared it would fall, I just didn't know when."

11 year old Daniel Gartman and another boy were playing on the rock late in the morning on Tuesday when it collapsed. Rescue crews from Citronelle Fire Rescue, Mobile Fire Rescue, Thyssenkrupp, Turnersville and several others responded. Heavy equipment was needed and succeeded in breaking up the giant boulder to recover the young boy.

Daniel's father, who lives at the intersection of Lonnie Walker and Reed Roads was working on a tow boat at the time of the accident. Family members said he arrived home at about 2 AM Wednesday.

A fund has been established for the Gartman family at First Community Bank in Citronelle. Donations can be made to the Daniel Gartman Fund Account.