Teen recovering after cutting off three fingers in mowing accident

SIKESTON, Mo. — A teen who lost three fingers in an accident through Sikeston's youth mowing program is now recovering.

City manager Doug Friend said the teen, whose name is being withheld, reported to work as usual Tuesday morning, when the accident occurred.

"Apparently the discharge area of the lawn mower became clogged with grass clippings," he said. "She attempted to remove them, and in doing so the blade struck her hand."

She was transported by helicopter to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, where she underwent surgery and is reportedly recovering, according to Friend.

"Safety has been an issue in the program all summer, and the accident was extremely unfortunate," Friend said.

"We undertook, very painstakingly, to brief all the participants on the proper approach to safety they needed to take," he said. "It's something we preached every day, but even when you do that, the potential exists that there could be an accident."