5 Children Injured at a Daycare After Car Crashes into a Fence by the Playground in a ‘Freak Accident’

Five Children Injured at Daycare After Car Crashes into Fence

In a shocking incident, five children aged between 7 and 8 sustained injuries when a car crashed through a fence while they were playing outside at a daycare centre in Coventry, Rhode Island. The harrowing event took place on Monday, September 29, when a white Nissan, driven by an employee of the Child Care Plus Learning Center, slammed into the protective barrier around 4:30 pm local time.

Central Coventry Fire Chief Kevin Cady revealed that the daycare staff swiftly ushered all the children back into the building post the accident. The injured children were promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention, where they were treated for injuries deemed as non-life-threatening by Chief Cady. Reportedly, there were approximately 15 children on the playground at the time of the incident, as per WPRI’s coverage.

Charles Psilopoulos, one of the co-owners of the daycare centre, disclosed that the driver of the car was a female employee who also had her two children accompanying her during the incident. Thankfully, neither the driver nor her children appeared to have sustained any injuries from the crash. Psilopoulos termed the occurrence as a “freak accident,” a sentiment echoed by Chief Cady who suggested that it was likely caused by a momentary distraction.

Chief Cady further shared that the driver cooperated with the authorities during the ensuing investigation and did not display any signs of being under the influence at the time of the accident. The children bore minor injuries in the form of scrapes and bruises as they absorbed the impact from the vehicle crashing into the fence, with none of the daycare employees reported to have been harmed.

The incident left a portion of the fence knocked down, with the white car losing its front bumper after colliding with a black pole near the parking lot, as depicted in images captured at the scene by WPRI. Justin Czar, the owner of a neighboring lumber shop who was involved in erecting the fence a decade earlier, expressed relief that the situation was not more severe. Czar even offered assistance in rebuilding the damaged fence, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety of the children.

Despite the scare, the Child Care Plus Learning Center announced plans to resume operations as usual the following day, albeit with the playground remaining closed until necessary repairs could be completed. While the names of the injured children were not disclosed, efforts to reach out to the daycare centre for updates on the situation were made by PEOPLE.

As the community awaits further developments, the residents near the daycare, along with concerned individuals, collectively heaved a sigh of relief that the outcome was not more catastrophic given the circumstances. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the utmost importance of maintaining safety protocols, especially in environments involving vulnerable individuals such as children.

Overall, the incident underscores the unpredictability of accidents and the resilience demonstrated by both the children and the daycare staff in the face of adversity. The swift response and collaboration among the authorities, daycare personnel, and the community highlight the importance of unity in times of crisis.