Toddler Hurt After Being Accidentally Run Over by Lawn Mower

The child was airlifted for treatment of a severe laceration to her leg

A 2-year-old girl was injured Tuesday in far suburban Chicago when she was caught under a riding lawn mower being driven by her great-grandmother, authorities said.

Police said the child was playing in the yard in southwest suburban Plainfield just after 2 p.m. while her 64-year-old great-grandmother mowed the lawn on a riding lawnmower.

The great-grandmother attempted to back up when she felt a “thud” and heard the child screaming, according to Will County Sheriff Deputy Chief Tom Budde.

The great-grandmother turned off the machine but was unable to get it off the child, who was partially trapped underneath, Budde said.

The child’s screams woke up her mother, who was napping in the home, and the family called 911, according to Budde.

Plainfield Fire Protection District paramedics lifted the lawn mower off the child and began treating her for a severe laceration to her upper leg, he said.

Authorities blocked traffic in the area so a helicopter could transport the girl to Loyola University Medical Center for further treatment. Her condition was not immediately known, but Budde said she was conscious and breathing at the time.

Alcohol or drugs were not suspected in the accident and no charges are expected to be filed. "We do believe at this point that this was nothing more than a tragic accident," Budde said.

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