A 19-month-old toddler from Florida died in a horrific accident after being run over by a lawnmower that was driven by his grandmother.
The toddler suffered horrific injuries to his head and body after being dragged under the spinning blades. The accident took place in Titusville, Florida, on Friday afternoon.
Battalion Chief Scott Gaenicke from Titusville Fire & Emergency Services said:
“He was riding on the lawnmower with Grandma and somehow fell off and was run over.
“We believe the blades of the lawnmower struck the child.”
Titusville police have seized the mower and trailer as they launch an investigation into the accident.
Neighbours said the grandmother, who has only been identified by her first name of Cynthia, is distraught.
“They’re suffering. The whole family’s suffering,” said neighbor Dave Smith.
“Cynthia is a good, Christian woman, and I know whatever happened, I just know she feels as bad as anyone could ever feel. She’ll never get over this.”
Another neighbour, who owns a lawn care business, said the toddler would have suffered terrible injuries.
“A 19-month-old getting hurt on one, I’m surprised there’s anything left of him. That’s as bad as they can be,” said Jessica Lowe.
“They’re so heavy and dangerous. I’ve blown out windows just by hitting pine cones,” she said.
Investigators are trying to piece together how the child, who was said to have been towed behind the mower, came to be hit by the blade.
The badly injured boy was flown by helicopter to Parrish Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators said they’ll wait for the boy’s autopsy from the Medical Examiner’s Office and talk with the State Attorney’s Office to determine if the grandmother will be charged.
