The lawnmower that accidentally severed both of 2-year-old Ireland Nugent’s legs may be an older model not equipped with a safety feature that stops the blades from spinning when it’s in reverse, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The girl’s mother hopes that Ireland’s young age will help, and that she won’t remember her father backing up the lawnmower in this tragic accident.
As the Times reports, an Orlando man had a similar accident in 2004. Brett Bainter still feels guilty over the lawnmower accident that was so severe that his 3-year-old son’s right leg had to be amputated. After the accident, his remorse was so bad that doctors diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.