Deputies say Steven Morlang, 69, of Canandaigua was operating his John Deere riding lawnmower when he placed it in reverse to back away from a tree stump.
While he was backing up with the mower blade still engaged- a 6-year-old male ran up behind the mower attempting to get his attention.
Mortlang did not see or hear the child approach- and as result, the deck ran over the child’s lower right leg.
The first deputy and state trooper on-scene placed a tourniquet around the child’s leg to control bleeding. The injuries sustained to the child were described as serious.
He was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital where he underwent surgery. The child remains at the hospital and is listed in stable condition.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by New York State Police, Canandaigua Fire and Ambulance, and Mercy Flight.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]