Several suffer serious sledding injuries in Methuen

METHUEN, Mass. (WHDH) -- A popular sledding spot in Methuen is now off-limits after a series of serious accidents.

In the last two days, three people have been seriously injured while sledding.

“On Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, each day we had one female that both received serious injuries that were first transported to local hospitals and then airlifted to Boston hospitals,” said Lt. Kevin Martin, Methuen Police Department.

“It's a lot of fun but it’s really dangerous. It gets steep very quick once you hit that slope you're going really, really fast,” said Virginia Stacy, who lives across from the hill.

Sunday afternoon, a young woman injured her ribs and back and had to be airlifted to a Boston Hospital.

Methuen police then posted warning signs.

The signs did not deter sisters from sledding there on New Year’s Eve. They hit a tree and both were injured. The older one, a 22-year-old woman, is in tough shape with serious internal and head trauma.

“The female hit a tree and she basically hit it with her head first and also received some serious injuries and was sent to Boston,” said Lt. Martin.

A woman living nearby knows a young neighbor who was seriously injured on the hill.

“The little girl who lives upstairs. About 10 years old and she slid down the hill. She hit a pole and broke her back,” said Ann Trussell.

That little girl is fine now but police said no more sledding.

“In the interest of public safety that we make sure people stay safe and not sled on that hill,” said Lt. Martin. “We have extra patrols in the area and since it has been posted, ‘no trespassing,’ people are subject to arrest.”

Two of the victims were from out of town and were visiting relatives.

Police said they would prefer not to arrest people, but that they will follow through on the threat if they see people sledding.