Sledders take to area streets, and injuries sometimes follow

The weekend sledding parties on Denny Hill lasted long into the nights.

One of the region's steepest stretches, East Denny Way between East Olive Way and Howell Street, was closed by the city after the first heavy snowfall Thursday.

Since then, the upper section has become a sledding hub.

"Two o'clock in the morning last night they were out here," said Richard Lammert, who lives in a nearby apartment and was picking up trash left behind by sledders.

That street was just one sledding of many around the area.

The fun hasn't been problem free. At least five children have been admitted to Harborview Medical Center for sledding injuries in the past four days, said Dr. Brian Johnston, chief of pediatrics.

Some involve head injuries, he said, and the most serious involve colliding with cars.

One teenager was sent to a hospital Sunday with a head bruise and "probable broken hip" after colliding with a car. Police said the teenager was listed in stable condition.

Many more children were treated and released at Harborview or seen at other hospitals.

To prevent injuries, experts recommend wearing helmets, having adult supervision and sledding in parks — not on streets.

Nonetheless, residents sledded down thoroughfares throughout the area Monday.

And back in Capitol Hill early in the day, Lammert and resident Cameron Hart grumbled as they gathered up the mess sledders left behind.

"People must think their mother lives here," Hart groused.

Lornet Turnbull: 206-464-2420 or lturnbull@seattletimes.com or Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com