LAUDERDALE LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) - Rescue crews took a 10-year-old boy to the hospital after, officials said, his foot ended up pinned under a car while trying to prevent the go-kart he was riding from striking the vehicle.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the boy was riding down Northwest 21st Street, in Lauderdale Lakes when he spotted a Nissan about to turn into the Cambridge Square Apartments, near U.S. 441, at around 4:30 p.m.
Officials said the boy made a split-second decision that likely saved his life. “When he saw he was going to collide with that car, he tried to jump off that go-kart, and that probably saved him much more serious injuries because he would have impacted with the car instead of just his foot,” said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesperson Mike Jachles.
Pictures tweeted out by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue capture the moments after the collision.
Crews were eventually able to free the boy and take him to Plantation General Hospital in good condition.
Cambridge Square resident Alex Joseph said speeding cars are a common sight around the complex. “Honestly, I’m not surprised,” he said.
Joseph said some drivers are so reckless that many parents won’t let their children play outside. “Great example: They’ll come around the corner here whipping, and sometimes, if you’re not careful, walking across here, you’ll definitely get clipped,” he said.
Another resident voiced similar feelings. “It’s not unsafe being over here. It’s just people are careless to the fact that kids stay here, you know?” she said. “It’s just their world. They don’t care about the children.”
Officials said the 10-year-old should make a full recovery, but they added the accident serves as a painful reminder about the dangers of riding go-karts or other vehicles that aren’t street legal near busy traffic.
“The fact that he didn’t have a helmet, didn’t have safety equipment, it could have been much worse,” said Jachles.
BSO later towed the Nissan from the scene.
The driver of the Nissan said she felt terrible about the crash, and she didn’t see the boy, but she is relieved to hear that the child will be OK.
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