JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A 4-year-old boy who died hours after he was struck by a falling tree in Jefferson County was slacklining before the accident, according to the sheriff’s office.
The initial report of the tree falling on the child in the 6300 block of South Jay Street came to South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) at around 8 a.m. Friday.
The boy was taken to the hospital with serious injuries shortly after first responders arrived, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said.
Just before 2 p.m., the sheriff’s office tweeted the child had died.
“With heavy hearts, we're sad to report that the 4-year-old boy who was struck by a fallen tree has died from his injuries. This was nothing more than a tragic accident on S. Jay Way in south #Jeffco.”
Kelley said the boy, who was visiting out of town with this family, was slacklining with other kids when the tree fell over and struck him.
The boy’s 14-year-old sister also sustained a leg injury, Kelley said, adding the boy and his family were not visiting the family who owns the yard where the accident occurred.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the incident.
