Accident claims life of Rangely toddler

RANGELY I A tragic accident claimed the life of a 17-month-old Rangely toddler late Sunday afternoon.
Rio Blanco County coroner Dr. Albert Krueger was notified by the emergency room physician at Rangely District Hospital that the parents of a 6-month-old boy had brought their son into the emergency room with massive head injuries, where he was pronounced dead by the ER physician and Krueger was notified.
Dr. Krueger contacted the RBCSO, who dispatched deputies to the hospital and one to the victim’s residence on RBC Road 2 near Rangely where the accident occurred and where it was learned the victim was 17-months-old.
According to a RBCSO press release, the toddler was with his mother and older sister in a horse pen. His father was operating a Bobcat skid steer outside the horse pen.
The fatal injuries suffered by the victim occurred when he left the horse pen area, walked toward the skid steer and was run over by the skid steer. The father was backing up the equipment and did not see or hear the child.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation Grand Junction office also responded to the scene and is assisting in the investigation. No charges have been filed. The investigation is continuing and expected to be completed by the end of the week.
Out of respect for the family, the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office (RBCSO) has not released the name of the victim or the family as the investigation continues.