A 12-year-old boy was struck by snow removal equipment being driven by his 9-year-old brother in Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon, according to police.
According to Pepperell police, the boy was struck on North Street around 4 p.m., injuring his legs.
He was first taken to Nashoba Valley Medical Center, and was then taken by medical helicopter to a Massachusetts General Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities say that a preliminary investigation shows the boy's brother was using the snow removal equipment at the time when the boy slid on ice and fell into the path of the snow-removal equipment, which was backing up at the time of the accident.
"He was coming back to play a game of cards and he never came, so I knew something was up," Pete Bouchard, a family member, said.
Bouchard, who identified the 12-year-old boy as Carter, says the boys' father owns a landscaping and masonry business. He also said the child has two broken legs. Authorities say the children's grandfather and father were home at the time, and that four children live in the home with their parents.
Pepperell police say the snow removal equipment is owned by the boy's family. Authorities also add that in order to legally operate the equipment, a person must have a driver's license and a hoisting license.
Massachusetts
The latest news from around the state
"It's not an uncommon practice with this type of situation on private property, that's how kids learn how to drive these things, but 9 years old is awfully young," Pepperell Police Chief David Scott said.
Police Chief Scott says the matter is under investigation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety.
