NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Emergency rooms across the area reported dozens of sledding-related injuries over the weekend.
In Nashville, the children and adult emergency rooms at Vanderbilt University Medical Center saw more than 90 such injuries.
"Children in this area are not used to large snowfalls and sledding and don't understand the potential for hitting objects at high velocity," said Thomas Abramo, M.D., professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics.
Hospital officials said the most common injuries were broken bones, head injuries and abdominal injuries and occurred most often in nine to 16-year-olds.
On Sunday, a 10-year-old and 12-year-old were injured while sledding at the Shelby Golf Course in east Nashville.
Witnesses said the kids were on a sled when it slid into a stream.
One of the kids was taken to a local hospital by ambulance.
In Dickson, an eight-year-old was taken by to Vanderbilt by LifeFlight helicopter after hitting a tree.
His mother, Susan Estes, said she was shocked to learn her son's injury was so serious.
"It's amazing that it went so quickly from what seemed like a minor injury to Mason possibly losing his kidney," she said.
In Knoxville, a 15-year-old was killed after he slid down a hill and into the road.
Police said the teen was struck by a passing car and dragged a short distance.
He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
As schools throughout Tennessee remain closed Monday and Tuesday, doctors urge caution as children go sledding.
More caution is also needed as conditions become icier.
"The harder the surface, the faster the sled goes," said Dr. Abramo. "On ice, it is harder to stop and turn."
Dr. Abramo recommends the following for safe sledding:
- Children should be supervised by an adult
- Sled feet-first
- Make sure the sled's path does not cross traffic and is free from obstacles such as trees, fences, rocks and telephone poles
- Don't intentionally run into others
- Never pull sled behind moving vehicle
Shelby Golf Course, east Nashville
