Boy hospitalized after accidental strangulation on slide

Police say a 5-year-old Utah boy suffered critical injuries when he was accidentally strangled by a jump rope while playing on a backyard playset.

KUTV reports the child was flown to a hospital Tuesday night after his neck got caught in a jump rope that was entangled in the play equipment.

Lehi Fire Chief Shad Hatfield says the rope tightened around his neck as he slid down a slide. It wasn’t immediately clear how long the boy’s neck was constricted.

Hatfield says the boy’s parents were at the scene when crews arrived.