Health

She Couldve Died Minnesota Teen Hospitalized After Homemade Zip Line

Ruth Kamau  ·  January 17, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – A 15-year-old girl from a quiet suburb here narrowly escaped serious harm last week when her homemade zip line adventure turned into a nightmare.

The teen, whose name hasn’t been released because of her age, was trying to recreate the thrill of a backyard zip line she’d seen online. She and a few friends rigged up the contraption using ropes and a pulley attached to trees in her family’s yard. But as she zipped down the line, the setup gave way, sending her plummeting about 10 feet to the ground. Witnesses said she landed hard, hitting her head and twisting her arm in the fall. It was a scary scene, with friends rushing to call 911 as she lay there dazed and in pain.

Paramedics arrived quickly and rushed her to a local hospital, where doctors found she had a fractured wrist and possible concussion. Her family told reporters she spent two days under observation, and while she’s expected to make a full recovery, the incident left everyone shaken. “We thought we lost her,” her mother said in a brief statement. It’s one of those moments that hits hard, showing how fast fun can turn dangerous when kids experiment without proper gear or adult help.

Local safety experts pointed out that zip lines, even professional ones, carry risks, and homemade versions are a bad idea. The girl’s family now plans to speak out about the dangers, urging parents to keep an eye on what their teens are up to online and in the yard. In the end, this close call serves as a wake-up for families everywhere, proving that a simple thrill can lead to unexpected trouble if you’re not careful.