Child transported to hospital after sled collides with car

FERNDALE, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to the 5700 block of Hendrickson Avenue about 3:25pm yesterday to a report of car versus pedestrian incident.

Whatcom County Fire District 7 Division Chief Ben Boyko said arrived to find a child who had been hit by a car when the sled they were riding entered the roadway after being launched off a jump. The sledder had gone down a steep chute between shrubbery before reaching a ramp at the end that launched them into the air and onto the road according to Boyko.

Chute used by a young sledder that launched them into the air prior to colliding with a car on Hendrickson Avenue (January 16, 2020). Photo: My Ferndale News

Boyko said it appeared the driver had no time to react and there was visible damage to the the front end of the car. The child was transported in stable condition to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center by an aid unit.

A tow truck was required to free the car from a snow bank it drove into following the collision.

Boyko said he strongly discourages sledding on roads. “It’s just not a good idea in any situation.”