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'Tragic accident': boy asphyxiated on clothes line

Posted July 4, 2009 18:39:00
Updated July 4, 2009 20:59:00

The matter has been referred to the coroner.

The matter has been referred to the coroner. (ABC News: Cate Grant, file photo)

A six-year-old boy has died in a freak backyard accident involving a clothes line and trampoline.

New Norfolk police, in southern Tasmania, say he was jumping on a trampoline beneath the clothes line, when the strap on his helmet appears to have become caught on the line, accidentally hanging him.

His father found him a short time later.

Inspector Glen Woolley says it is one of the most shocking accidents he has seen.

"In trying to free himself, the clothes line has swung away from the trampoline and the young boy's been stranded in the air. He's actually died as a result of asphyxiation," he said.

"This is a really very tragic accident."

The matter has been referred to the coroner.

Tags: disasters-and-accidents, accidents, australia, tas, new-norfolk-7140

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