Boy, 3, Was Riding With Family Member On Lawnmower Prior To Leg Being Run Over: Police

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A 3-year-old boy was critically injured after his leg was run over by a lawnmower near Cary Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

The boy was riding on an industrial-type lawnmower with a family member in the 28700 block of West Kristy Lane in unincorporated Cary when it appears he fell or jumped from the lawnmower, Christopher Covelli, deputy chief with the Lake County Sheriff's Office, told Patch.

"It appears the mower requires operators to be in a standing position. We believe the child was initially in front of the operator. The operator of the mower began to reverse, and the child either fell off or jumped off," he said. "Unfortunately, the mower deck rolled over one of the child’s legs, causing major injuries."

A neighbor used a t-shirt to make a tourniquet, which was applied above the child's wounds to stop the bleeding, authorities said.

The child was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and then taken by helicopter to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in critical condition. He remained in critical condition Saturday evening, authorities told Patch.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation, authorities said.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.