Child Injured In Sled Crash In Bel Air

BEL AIR, MD — A youth was hospitalized with serious injuries as the result of a sledding crash in Bel Air on Friday, according to officials.

The crash occurred on Donzen Drive at Ma & Pa Road, said Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association spokesman Rich Gardiner.

The child was taken by ambulance to a regional trauma center, according to Gardiner.

The 4-year-old girl crashed into a dumpster, Fox 45 reported.

Each year, more than 20,000 children in the U.S. end up in emergency rooms from sledding injuries, according to a recent study.

Harford County has seen a handful of sledding injuries in recent years. Two young people were hospitalized in January 2016 from a sledding crash into a tree in Joppa. A girl was seriously injured in February 2014 when she became impaled while sledding in Jarrettsville.

Here are some tips for safe sledding from the National Safety Council:

• Evaluate terrain before sledding, checking for poles, trees, rocks and fences.
• Sled with feet pointing downhill; never sled headfirst.
• Pick a spot that does not have lakes, streams or ponds nearby.
• Wear a helmet if possible.
• Bundle up with thick gloves and heavy boots.
• Check equipment, ensuring it is free of sharp edges and cracks before use.

Image via Shutterstock.