A Slingshot Turns Deadly in a Minnesota Park

Slingshots, they've been a popular toy for children since my childhood days and I'm assuming probably even before that. This homemade toy turned deadly at a Roseville, Mn. Park on a hot, sunny August afternoon when a large rock that was launched from it, hit a 12 year old in the chest.

Apparently two young boys were firing rocks from a homemade oversize slingshot in Bruce Russell Park when a large rock fell on one of the boys chests. The 12 year old was pronounced dead at a local hospital from his injuries.

The boys, according to news reports, made a slingshot from a piece of surgical tubing and a fanny pack, which they anchored onto two jungle gym posts. To launch materials from it, one of the boys would lie down on the ground to pull back the sling. The boys were reportedly launching items such as baseballs, chunks of concrete and rocks from the slingshot. One of the items, a 5-pound rock, came back down and hit the 12 year old boy in the chest causing the deadly injury.

Neighbors who live across the street from the park find it hard to believe how someone could die in such a tragic, freakish accident at such a peaceful family-oriented place. Distraught family members issued a statement stating their son died at his favorite playground, doing what he loved the most, playing and being adventurous.

This should be a wake up call to parents to warn their children just how dangerous a toy can be when it's not used properly. Who would ever believe that something as simple as a slingshot could become a deadly toy?

Source: WCCO News.com/slingshot accident/08/02/2010