4-year-old killed by falling tree in backyard, Colorado sheriff says. ‘Tragic accident’

A 4-year-old boy died when a backyard tree toppled onto him as he practiced slacklining in a Denver-area backyard, Colorado sheriff’s officials reported.

The boy was taken to a hospital with critical injuries after the accident Friday, July 15, but later died, Jefferson County sheriff’s officials said on Twitter.

“This was nothing but a tragic accident,” sheriff’s officials wrote.

The boy was practicing slacklining on webbing between two trees with other children before the accident at 8 a.m., KMGH reported. One tree fell, killing the boy and injuring his 14-year-old sister, who were visiting from out-of-town with their family.

Slacklining involves walking on suspended webbing between two points, similar to tightrope walking.

This story was originally published July 17, 2022 at 12:08 PM with the headline "4-year-old killed by falling tree in backyard, Colorado sheriff says. ‘Tragic accident’."