Published Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999 Among them was Dr. Sergio Segarra, the director of emergency medicine for the Sharon Regional Health System, who took his three daughters sledding.
"I think we all enjoy the winter season. I love itwhen done safely," he said.
But some people aren't being safe.
The emergency room at Sharon has seen at least 12 sledding accidents. One victim had to be flown to a Pittsburgh hospital; two more required surgery.
People going up the same paths as others are coming down increases the risks, Segarra said.
"Use the sides of the hills when going back up to avoid getting hit," he said. "And kids are fooling around. Everyone needs to be careful."
Dr. Robert Maha, the director of emergency services at UPMC Horizon, said the hospitals have not seen a marked increase in accidents.
One woman suffered a back fracture and others have broken bones from both sledding and snowmobiling.
"The ice makes it much more dangerous," Maha said. "The surface is much harder. The snow usually adds a cushion to soften the blow but the ice makes it like falling on concrete."
Segarra said sledding safety starts at home with helmets and appropriate dress.
Parents have to be sure that children dress in layers with hats, added Kathy Lehman, community relations director for United Community Hospital in Pine Township.
"We also discourage sledding in the bitter cold especially if it's windy," she said.
Segarra said the "absolute worst" area for sledding seems to be Sharon's West Hill.
The hill area surrounding Brookfield Elementary School includes a fence, trees, a building and eventually a road.
