Briggs Maxwell Obituary, ITHACA, Wis. — Briggs Maxwell, a freshman at Ithaca High School and member of the school’s varsity football team, died Thursday, August 27, 2026, after suffering serious injuries in a farming accident in the Town of Ithaca.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. Maxwell was reportedly seriously injured by a skid loader while working during the farming accident. He suffered a severe head injury and later died from his injuries.
Maxwell was a student at Ithaca High School and participated in varsity football, where he played running back and linebacker. His involvement with the team made his death especially difficult for teammates, coaches and others throughout the school community.
Maxwell’s father serves as an assistant coach for the Ithaca varsity football team. His death has affected his family, classmates, teachers, coaches and fellow student-athletes as the Ithaca community comes to terms with the loss.
Following Maxwell’s death, the Ithaca School District issued a statement expressing condolences to his family, friends and classmates. The district said the school community was grieving and encouraged students, staff members and families to support one another during the difficult period.
School counselors and other personnel were made available in the district gymnasium and classrooms to provide support to students and staff members affected by Maxwell’s death. The district also canceled athletic activities scheduled for Thursday evening and Friday, including the Ithaca/Weston varsity football game against Wauzeka-Steuben that had been scheduled for Friday night at Weston.
Ithaca varsity volleyball activities scheduled for Saturday were also canceled. School officials said the cancellations were intended to give students, staff and the broader school community time to grieve and support one another.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the farming accident. Authorities have not released additional details about how the skid loader was involved or the precise circumstances that led to Maxwell’s fatal injuries. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as authorities continue examining the incident.
The Ithaca community continues to mourn the loss of Briggs Maxwell, a young student-athlete whose death has deeply affected his family, teammates, classmates and the broader school community. His memory remains with those who knew him as the community comes together to support one another during this difficult time.
