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CNN Live At Daybreak

Girl Killed by Errant Hockey Puck

Aired March 20, 2002 - 05:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get more information now on the tragic death of that 13-year-old Ohio girl who died two days after being hit by a hockey puck at an NHL game in Columbus.

Reporter Brandi Sauers of CNN affiliate WBNS Columbus joins us live on the phone with more.

Good morning, Brandi.

BRANDI SAUERS, WBNS-TV REPORTER: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: Can you tell us exactly how this happened?

SAUERS: Well basically, to put it simply, the puck flew into the stands. She was sitting in section 121, which is kind of higher up. And I'm sure you've seen the animation. We've been playing it. I know a lot of affiliates have had it.

It was hit by Blue Jackets center Espen Knutsen. Basically he got the puck, he hit it at the goal but then the puck ricocheted off of a defending player's stick and it shot into the stands hitting Brittanie and hitting her in the head. And you know, at first it really didn't seem that serious. She was able to walk up. One of the ushers put a jacket over her face. And the doctor said at first it just looked like she needed stitches, but obviously that wasn't the case.

COSTELLO: These pucks can travel very fast, can't they?

SAUERS: Yes, they can. The average puck they say travels from 85 to 95 miles per hour. So it's really not the actual puck, it's the speed at which they hit.

COSTELLO: And there was one of those partitions in front of the section in which she was sitting, right, but the puck flew over top of that and actually hit one spectator and then hit Brittanie?

SAUERS: Well from what we understand, it first hit Brittanie and then it ricocheted off her and hit another man who was sitting in front of her, and then possibly even another person. Now that man is a 61-year-old man named Larry Young (ph). He's from Winchester. He says that he was sitting just one row in front of her and he suffered a small wound to the back of his head. COSTELLO: Oh wow! Is the National Hockey League going to do anything about this or are they going to put more safety measures in place or is this just a freak accident in their estimation?

SAUERS: Well, you know, this has never happened before at an NHL game. They are considering talking about safety issues today, at least that's what we were told yesterday, but right now that's all we know. They do have warnings printed on the back of each ticket. Also, in the beginning of each game, the announcer says beware of flying pucks, and they also have it on the large screen up at the top near the arena.

COSTELLO: So there are warnings posted. I guess on the back of a ticket that's on every sporting event there is a warning posted and at baseball games, too.

SAUERS: Yes, you're right. So -- but as you mention, you know this is very rare. This has never happened as far as a death is concerned, although the interesting thing is at least three pucks went into the crowd Saturday night, so you know, this isn't the first time. It's very common, actually, that a puck goes into the stands but very rare that someone actually dies.

COSTELLO: Yes. Well, thank you.

SAUERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: Brandi Sauers of CNN affiliate WBNS reporting for us live by phone this morning.

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