A family is “heartbroken” and says that their 3-year-old boy who was critically injured after being run over by a lawnmower near Cary will remain hospitalized for weeks as they seek the community’s support.
The Cary Fire Protection District and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 12:41 p.m. Saturday to the 28700 block of West Kristy Lane in unincorporated Cary.
Cary Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said the 911 caller reported a traumatic injury involving a child.
Paramedics arrived at the residence and located the young child, who had been run over by an industrial-style lawnmower, Vucha said.
The child suffered a serious lower extremity injury.
Before the arrival of emergency crews, a neighbor had applied a makeshift tourniquet to help control the bleeding, Vucha said.
Paramedics immediately continued lifesaving treatment and loaded the child into an awaiting ambulance.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said a preliminary investigation shows the boy was riding with a family member on a lawnmower that requires operators to be in a standing position.
Deputies believe the child was initially standing on the machine in front of the operator and the operator was backing the machine up when the child either jumped or fell off, Covelli said.
Covelli said the family member then backed over the child’s legs with the mower deck, causing major injuries.
A neighbor who arrived on the scene before medical personnel used a shirt to create a makeshift tourniquet above the child’s wounds to help stop the bleeding, Covelli said.
The boy was transported by ground to the Mercyhealth Hospital – Crystal Lake helipad where a medical helicopter was waiting.
The child was then airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in critical condition, Vucha said.
Covelli said the boy was listed in critical but stable condition at the hospital Sunday morning.
Based on the scene investigation, Covelli said the incident appears to be a tragic accident.
He said the “thoughts and prayers of everyone are with the child and his family during this very difficult time.”
“We want to remind the community that lawn mowers are powerful machines. They can be extremely dangerous and, in some cases, deadly,” Covelli said.
“Children should never ride on them, whether operating or as a passenger with an adult. This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of keeping children away from mowers at all times,” he added.
Cary resident Katie Shaykin said Monday that doctors have been working tirelessly to treat the severe wound to Cohen Liggett’s leg, which remains open.
The doctors are working to determine the best course of action for future surgeries that will offer the boy the best possible quality of life.
The Liggett family is “heartbroken” but holding onto hope. “They are asking, first and foremost, for your prayers — for Cohen’s complete healing, for strength and peace during this unimaginable time, and for wisdom for the medical team as they make critical decisions for Cohen’s future,” Shaykin said.
In addition to the emotional toll, the family is also facing a “tremendous” financial toll. A GoFundMe account has been created and already raised over $14,000.
The incident comes after the family’s youngest son, Reed, was hospitalized multiple times after three separate surgeries over the last year due to a congenital condition affecting his colon.
“While Reed’s surgeries are behind him, he was recently diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome, a rare condition that causes severe food and environmental allergies. Jacki is still nursing Reed, who is not allowed in the ICU, which means she and her husband are taking shifts between Cohen’s bedside and Reed’s care,” Shaykin said.
The family is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital doing “everything they can to keep their family strong and together during this time.”
“We are hoping to raise funds to help ease the financial burden this crisis has brought,” Shaykin said.