BROOKLAND, Ark. (KAIT) – A Brookland High School senior baseball player is receiving community support after losing all of his equipment when his car caught fire.
Aydin Rutherford was leaving work when he noticed his car starting to catch fire. He opened his door, and smoke rolled out, with the fire eventually spreading to the trunk where his baseball gear was stored.
“Getting out of work, I walked outside and saw a little bit of fire droplets dropping from the back of my car. I opened my door up and smoke rolled out, and eventually that fire made its way to the trunk,” Rutherford said.
Rutherford lost not only his car but also all of his baseball equipment, gear, and clothes. His mother, Nikki Jones, arrived to find the vehicle completely engulfed in flames.
“By the time I got there, the car was completely engulfed, so that is a sick feeling watching everything that he had just sitting there burn right in front of your eyes,” Jones said.
Rutherford is a senior at Brookland High School who plays catcher for the Bearcats baseball team. He also works full-time to help his mother at home and was initially concerned about transportation.
“First, I thought it was going to be harder since I didn’t have a vehicle to get everywhere, but my mom found out ways to shuffle cars around so that I could still get places,” Rutherford said.
Family friend Cindy Bode began spreading word about Rutherford’s situation. The community response has been significant, with residents offering to replace his equipment.
“Being a catcher, there is a bit more gear there than the average player, so that makes it a little worse. So many people have stepped up, I can’t even begin to tell you. Someone immediately offered to buy him cleats, and people have offered gear,” Bode said.
The timing of the community support, coming right before the holidays, has been meaningful to Rutherford and his family.
“I’m very thankful for everybody, I’m grateful. I’m also surprised, it kind of caught me off guard,” Rutherford said.
Jones said the experience has been humbling and serves as a reminder not to take things for granted because everything can change quickly.
“Brookland and Northeast Arkansas are the best places in the world to live. There are no people like it anywhere else in the world. People are willing to step up in the midst of their own trials and tribulations and still reach out to other people and help them,” Bode said.
A GoFundMe was started for Rutherford.
Rutherford is preparing to start his senior baseball season next spring.
To report a typo or correction, please click here.
Copyright 2025 KAIT. All rights reserved.