Tug-of-war almost severs two teens' hands

By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 13, 2007 at midnight

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Two juniors at Lutheran High School had their hands partially severed during a tug-of-war at a pep rally Friday.

"It was purely an accident," said Lt. Sam Realmuto, spokesman for Parker police. "We have no reason to think otherwise. It was a tragic accident at the pep rally."

Neither of the students has been identified, but they were both members of the junior football team. One was taken to Littleton Hospital. It was not clear where the other went.

Their conditions were unknown Friday night, although police said they were last known to be preparing for surgery.

The incident happened between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, when Parker police responded to a 911 call at Lutheran High School, 11249 Newlin Gulch Road.

Students were holding a pep rally in the gym in advance of a homecoming game tonight. During the event, senior members of the football team were competing against the junior members in a tug-of-war.

During the contest, the right hands of two of the junior players were partially severed. It was not clear how many students were involved in the tug-of-war, or how the injuries occurred.

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