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Child sucked under treadmill in nightmare footage

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT: A horrifying video of a child getting dragged under a treadmill has been released by safety regulators, which are urging people to stop using the machines.

In the video, two children are seen in the shot — one on the Peloton Tread+ treadmill, the other seen holding a large bouncy ball, which the child presses up against the machine.

The ball and the child holding it then gets sucked under the treadmill.

The other child then jumps off the treadmill and runs off, while the child struggles to get out from under the treadmill.

A child was sucked under a treadmill, prompting an urgent warning from a safety regulator. Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
A child was sucked under a Peleton treadmill, prompting an urgent warning from a safety regulator. Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The child struggles for quite some time, eventually is freed, only to get pulled back under.

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The child's head is completely under the machine, getting sucked in further, until they are able to free themselves. The child then gets up and runs off.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released the video of the child getting sucked under the treadmill to accompany a new release which said there had been 39 "incidents" involving the treadmill.

Of the 39 incidents, 23 involved children, the Associated Press reported.

"To date, CPSC is aware of 39 incidents including one death. CPSC staff believes the Peloton Tread+ poses serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death," the news release says.

"In light of multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product, CPSC urges consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately."

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says there have been 39 incidents, including one death involving the Peloton Tread+. Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says there have been 39 incidents, including one death involving the Peloton Tread+. Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The CPSC said the video of the child getting sucked under the treadmill "demonstrates the hazard to children posed by the Tread+".

The CPSC also said at least once incident happened when a parent was using the treadmill, which suggested the hazards "cannot be avoided" by locking the device when not in use.

There have also been reports of pets getting sucked underneath the machine.

Peloton says safety notice is 'inaccurate and misleading'

In a media release, Peloton said the company was "troubled" by the CPSC press release about the Tread+ treadmill as it was "inaccurate and misleading".

"There is no reason to stop using the Tread+, as long as all warnings and safety instructions are followed," Peloton said in the rebuttal.

"Children under 16 should never use the Tread+, and members should keep children, pets, and objects away from the Tread+ at all times."

Peloton said it was "shocked and devastated" to find out a child died while using the Tread+ and the company reported the incident to the CPSC.

"While preparing its report to CPSC, Peloton learned through a doctor's report to CPSC's public database that a child had experienced a brain injury," the statement said.

"Peloton spoke to the family who reported that and the child is expected to fully recover.

"Not wanting to delay in notifying members, on March 18, 2021, Peloton's co-founder and CEO John Foley sent an urgent reminder directly to Tread+ Members to follow the critical warnings and safety instructions that accompany the Tread+, which state that children, pets, and objects should be kept clear of the Tread+ at all times."

If adults want to keep using the treadmill, CPSC said they should use it only in a locked room so children and pets can’t come near it.

Peloton said the press release regarding the Tread+ treadmill was
Peloton said the press release regarding the Tread+ treadmill was "misleading". Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

When not in use, the treadmill should be unplugged and the safety key taken out and hidden away.

The commission also said to keep exercise balls and other objects away from it, because those have been pulled under the treadmill, too.

Peloton is best known for its stationary bikes, but it introduced the treadmill about three years ago and now calls it the Tread+. It costs more than $4,000.

Sales of Peloton equipment have soared during the pandemic as virus-weary people avoid gyms and workout at home instead. The company brought in $1 billion in revenue in the last three months of 2020, more than double its revenue from the same period a year before.

The commission did not say how many of the Peloton treadmills have been sold.

It was announced earlier this year Peloton was set to launch in Australia sometime in 2021.

With the Associated Press

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