PIERCE COUNTY, Ga. — Family members, friends and loved ones are still in shock after a young girl was killed in an accident involving a monument in southeast Georgia.

Five-year-old Bella Bennett died early Monday morning after a monument toppled onto her in Blackshear. Police said she had been playing on it with her 8-year-old sister.

“The older sibling was playing on the monument, and at some point, the monument tipped over and fell onto the 5-year-old,” Blackshear Police Chief Chris Wright said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Bennett’s grandfather came by the site in the afternoon to place a couple of toys and a candle beside the spot, where the monument has since been removed.

He said it was too heavy for him to pick up. That’s when neighbors stepped in.

“It was a sad situation. It was more like everybody trying to help the little girl,” one neighbor told WSB-TV’s sister station Action News Jax.

The neighbor also said her uncle tried to help Bennett.

“I really felt bad for my uncle. He tried his best. He was the one that gave the CPR,” the same neighbor said.

It was too late.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Jury awards $200 million to family of boy killed in Georgia boating accident
• Investigation: People practicing Santeria may be dumping headless goats in the Chattahoochee
• Secret Atlanta area resort offers great adventures, experiences

Blackshear Elementary School Assistant Principal Mandy Williams said the community is in shock.

“She had just a loving, giving spirit and (was) a sweetheart. She’s going to be missed so much by Blackshear Elementary,” Williams told Action News Jax.

Police said the Consolidated Men’s Club owns the property the monument stood on. According to pictures of the monument, it was placed there in 1989.

Police said the incident is under investigation, but no charges have been filed.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

©2021 Cox Media Group