SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A woman died and five people, including two children, were injured in a sledding accident off of Longstreet Lane Thursday afternoon, Suffolk Police said. The woman was identified as Madelyn Lowe, 26, of Chesapeake.
Three adults and two children suffered injuries not deemed to be life-threatening, said police, and they were taken to the hospital. Police have described the death as undetermined.
Police confirmed a UTV (utility terrain vehicle) was pulling a makeshift sled and lost control of it.
“It appears to be some type of hood, whether it be a piece of farm equipment or a vehicle,” said Suffolk Police Chief Danny Buie.
Investigators were at the scene earlier Friday to determine how the accident took place. Officials can’t say at this time whether the driver will face any charges.
At around 4:03 p.m. Thursday, Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Suffolk Police responded to the 2400 block of Longstreet Lane in reference
In an update Thursday night, Suffolk Fire Chief Mike Barakey said six people had been injured in the incident. He had described one of the injuries as life-threatening; that person is the woman who was taken to the hospital by LifeEvac helicopter and who later died, police said. Three others were said to be suffering serious injuries.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Suffolk Police responded to the incident in the 2400 block of Longstreet Lane at 4:03 p.m., Barakey said, with multiple units responding.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue’s Engine 4 set up a landing zone at Southwestern Elementary School at 150 Pioneer Road, just over five miles away from the incident area, for the LifeEvac 4 helicopter, with the department’s Medic 7 transferring one person to the LifeEvac helicopter to be taken to the hospital.
A friend of the family has set up a GoFundMe to help with expenses for the burial of the person who died, and for any medical expenses to come. To contribute, go here.
