Boy, 2, survives fall from third-floor window
Colorado Springs police said a 2-year-old boy fell from a third-story window at an apartment complex Saturday morning.
It happened about 9:30 a.m. at the Newport Square Apartments in the 3700 block of Rebecca Lane, off Academy Boulevard, south of Austin Bluffs.
Police provided the following details:
The boy, whose name is Ryan, was sleeping on a bed near the window, which was open about 6 inches. When he woke up, he pushed the screen open and fell out. Fortunately, he landed on a bush which broke his fall.
Ryan’s family was home at the time.
Ryan suffered a broken arm and was taken to a hospital for treatment. He returned home later in the day. His family doesn’t speak English but allowed KRDO NewsChannel 13 to see the cast on his right arm.
Police said had it not been for the bush, Ryan’s injuries could have been much worse.
Neighbors said they were surprised by the incident because new windows and screens were installed at the complex recently.
However, David Franklin, a next-door neighbor, said the screens can be easily pushed out.
“They’re better for insulation, and they lock,” he said. “But obviously the screens just fall right out. That boy is very lucky.”
The screens display a label warning that they will not prevent a child from falling through.
Apartment managers were unavailable for comment Saturday.
Capt. Steven Oswald of the Colorado Springs Fire Department said window screens are made to be removed easily for cleaning and are not strong enough to bear the weight of even a small child.
“As we get into the summer, make sure we don’t have children’s beds, cribs and furniture around windows,” Oswald said. “Especially for a child who might be waking up from a nap or isn’t currently being watched.”
Oswald said such a fall happens less than once a year in the city.
Police consider the fall an accident and said the family will not be charged.
The National Safety Council’s 19th annual National Window Safety Week ends this weekend. For more information, visit: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/about-national-window-safety-week.aspx.
