A Massachusetts boy was killed this weekend when a spooked cow on his father's farm trampled him to death.

George Carter was helping his dad exercise the family's cows on Saturday when one of the farm's 20 animals became startled.

Badly injured, the boy was rushed to Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport and pronounced dead, CBS News reports.

Watch: Cow Sneaks Into Owner's House and Gets Comfortable Waiting In Living Room

Massachusetts State Police are investigating the death, which happened just before 1 p.m. before the cows were due to be shown at a livestock fair.

Carter's father shared the devastating news in a post to a GoFundMe page created in George's memory and to help the family with expenses as they grieve.

Watch: Mother Cow Watches Rescuers Save Her Calf's Life After Being Run Over By Car

The page reads:

"Jackie O'Sullivan and I lost our 8-year-old son George today in a freak accident; in preparing to show our farm animals at the Barnstable fair, he was exercising a cow and in an instant, the animal got spooked and dragged him to his death.

"I know this is said all the time, but anyone who knew George loved him. Our family is suffering incredible sorrow and hardship at this time and any support is appreciated."

The campaign had raised just over $3,300 of a $20,000 goal as of late Sunday afternoon.

Watch: Woman Uses Hose to Rinse Off Manatee Lost in Florida Algae Bloom