VALDOSTA, Ga. – A child run over by a float during the Greater Valdosta Community Christmas Parade remained in the hospital Monday but was improving, according to officials.

The 3-year-old boy was listed in stable condition Monday at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress said.

“That’s very good news,” Childress said. “The Valdosta Police Department and I have been praying for this little boy.”

Authorities have not released the child’s name.

The boy was on a float Saturday evening in the Christmas parade which ran south from Woodrow Wilson Drive along Patterson Street through downtown. The boy either fell off of the float or was trying to get off of the float, according to the police.

The boy was run over by one of the float’s tires, according to the Valdosta Police Department.

Police officers and emergency workers were on scene. The boy was taken to South Georgia Medical Center before being life-flighted to Shands Hospital, Childress said.

The VPD investigated the incident, but Childress said Monday, the incident was an “unfortunate accident.”

“Some people have asked me if there needs to be changes to the parade and I think that would be a decision for (organizers) to make,” the police chief said. “It needs to be kept in context. It was an accident but I see no reason to change the parade.”