Sledding accidents pile up after snowfall
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- School is out and so are the sleds in all shapes and sizes.
Social media is lighting up with people all over the Triangle enjoying one of winter's favorite pastimes, but for a Wake County teenager a fun day of sledding with friends Tuesday quickly turned violent.
Conner Matzuga, 13, ruptured his spleen after taking a nasty spill in a Wake Forest neighborhood.
"He got thrown from his sled and just direct impact into the mailbox," said his mother, Jennifer. He was actually on his belly, face-first so probably the least safe way."
The Rolesville Middle School student was rushed to WakeMed Children's Hospital where doctors found internal bleeding in his abdomen.
Since Monday, doctors at WakeMed's emergency departments have treated 77 patients for weather-related injuries. Two of them were the result of sledding accidents.
Tuesday, a Raleigh child was hurt after sledding down a driveway on Clear Brook Drive and under an oncoming vehicle.
"It definitely can end badly," said Dr. Carrie Vice, emergency physician at WakeMed. "They need to choose a hill that's free of any obstacles for example, trees, fences, roads, things that they could run into at the end of their path."
Conner is still in pain but stable. Doctors say it could take 6-10 weeks for him to fully recover.
Matzuga hopes her son's accident is a warning to others.
"This is nowhere to spend a snow day," she said.
SAFETY TIPS:
- Don't sled in a street or on a highway (In Raleigh, barricading a street for sledding is illegal)
- Avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences and light poles or on rocky hills
- Always sled feet first
- Never ride a sled being pulled by a motorized vehicle
- Wear a helmet to avoid head injuries
- Teach children to have an adult present
