Dozens injured in sledding accident during party in Minot

Dozens injured in sledding accident during party in Minot: "Dozens injured in sledding accident during party in Minot

Associated Press
January 1, 2005 MINOT, N.D. (AP) - Thirty-six children were injured in a sledding accident during an all-night New Year's Eve party.

Three of the children were hospitalized, but all were in stable condition Saturday, hospital officials said. The others were treated and released.

Police Sgt. Winston Black said more than 100 children ages 12 to 19 attending a Youth for Christ event gathered at a high school around 4 a.m. to slide down a hill using sleds built out of cardboard boxes.

A sign posted on the hill prohibited sledding.

The children and Youth for Christ staff piled eight to 12 passengers on the sleds, then went down the hill in quick succession, Black said. ``The sleds struck rocks, a light pole and each other,'' he said.

Black said he did not know if the organization had permission to use the hill. Police were investigating.

There was no immediate response to a call seeking comment from Youth for Christ headquarters on Saturday."