'It was an accident': 8-year-old Lincolnton boy severely injured in fall from lawnmower

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — An 8-year-old child was severely injured Tuesday evening in a lawnmower accident on Clark Creek Road in Lincoln County, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said a parent was mowing the lawn around 5:15 p.m. with a small child on her lap, and the boy was riding on the deck of the zero-turn mower.

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It was difficult for Robert Holt to even talk about the accident that left his stepson with serious injuries to both of his arms and cuts to his leg.

He said the 8-year-old had stood up on the mower deck when he lost his balance and fell off.

“All the kids ride on it. It’s no different than being on the four-wheeler over there and falling off and getting hurt. It was an accident,” Holt said.

The mother stopped the mower but didn’t disengage the blades, deputies said, and the boy fell from the deck and was struck by the blades.

Holt said the blade wasn’t on until the boy began to fall and accidentally pulled on the button. His 2-year-old sister also came off the mower.

“He was more worried about her getting hurt than himself and threw her to the side, and it cut him bad,” Holt said.

Deputies said the 8-year-old old was airlifted to the hospital with severe injuries.

Investigators said he’s undergone surgery, and family members told Channel 9 he is sedated.

The family is asking for prayers.

“Try to help us if you can. Offered a lot of help. We appreciate everybody. The wife is pretty bad off. Just keep praying for us and the boy,” Holt said.

The sheriff said children should never ride a mower when the blade is engaged.

He also said after detectives finish their investigation, they’ll work closely with the district attorney.

Cox Media Group